FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2026

City Encourages Community Effort to Keep Sidewalks Safe and Accessible

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Clearing city sidewalks is essential to public safety and accessibility. Safe, passable sidewalks provide better emergency access for vulnerable neighbors and help ensure that seniors, people with disabilities, transit riders, and pedestrians throughout the community can safely get where they need to go.

If you are over the age of 65 or have mobility challenges and are unable to clear snow and ice from your home, the City encourages residents to call 211 for sidewalk-clearing assistance and invites community members to volunteer to help neighbors in need. Residents will need to call 211 directly to participate.

Community members interested in volunteering to help remove snow and ice for residents who cannot do so themselves can sign up through the City’s partner, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, by visiting www.tinyurl.com/cvillesnowvolunteer. The City has secured a limited number of metal shovels/picks for use by volunteers if needed.

To help connect neighbors in need with volunteers, we urgently ask community members who have capacity to step forward and help.

Together, we can keep our sidewalks safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone.

Media Contact:
Afton Schneider
Director of Communications & Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-996-0331
media@charlottesville.gov