Hays Snow Angel Project
Teen-led Snow Angels project invites Hays residents to register for assistance before winter weather arrives
When winter weather brings snow to Hays, clearing sidewalks, driveways and walkways can be difficult for older adults and people with physical disabilities or mobility challenges. Two TMP-Marian High School seniors are hoping to make that task a little easier through the new Hays Snow Angels Project, a community initiative connecting residents who need help with neighbors willing to lend a hand.
Created by Charlie Meitner and Sam Krannawitter as their senior capstone project, Hays Snow Angels uses yard signs to connect residents who need help clearing snow with volunteers willing to help. Here’s how it works: Eligible residents register for the project and receive a sign to display outside their home throughout the winter. When snowfall reaches about 1.5 inches or more, the sign lets volunteer SnowAngels know that the person who lives there needs assistance. Volunteers can then stop by and clear snow from accessible areas such as sidewalks, driveways, and walkways leading to the front door, depending on what they can safely manage.
Residents do not need to be home when volunteers arrive or contact anyone after it snows. The sign serves as a request for help. While the project helps connect neighbors, snow removal is not guaranteed after every snowfall, and volunteers choose what work they can safely do.
Want to be a Snow Angel? Keep an eye out for Snow Angels signs around Hays after a snowfall. If you see a sign, consider stopping to help clear a sidewalk, driveway, or walkway. Volunteers can also email info@snowangelshays.com to request a list of participating addresses so they can find neighbors who may need assistance.
“We wanted to do something practical that could make a real difference for people in our community,” Meitner said. “Something as simple as clearing a sidewalk or a path to the front door can be a big help to someone who has a hard time doing it themselves.”
Krannawitter said the project is also an opportunity to encourage neighbors to look out for one another. “We know Hays has people who are willing to help, and we wanted to find a way to connect them with people who could use an extra hand,” Krannawitter said. “Hopefully, Snow Angels will make it a little easier for neighbors to take care of neighbors.”
Residents can register November 1 through December 15, 2026, at www.SnowAngelsHays.com. Sign availability is limited. The project is open to Hays residents who are elderly or people with physical disabilities or mobility challenges that make snow removal difficult. A family member or close friend may register on someone’s behalf with that person’s permission.
There is no charge to participate. Volunteers are not expected to clear every part of a property, move vehicles, or provide professional snow-removal services. Residents should understand that displaying a Snow Angels sign does not guarantee assistance.
The project is being launched with support from a grant from the Heartland Community Foundation to help cover the cost of yard signs. Meitner and Krannawitter also plan to help shovel or use snowblowers when their schedules and weather conditions allow.
To learn more or register, visit www.SnowAngelsHays.com. Questions can be sent to info@snowangelshays.com.
About the Hays Snow Angels Project
The Hays Snow Angels Project is a teen-led community initiative created by TMP-Marian seniors Charlie Meitner and Sam Krannawitter to connect Hays residents who have difficulty clearing snow with volunteers willing to help. The project’s goal is to make winter a little safer and easier for neighbors who could use an extra hand.
Hays Snow Angels Project Connects Neighbors Who Need Snow Removal Help With Volunteers.
