Snow removal company finds cash-strapped teens work shovelling out neighbours
A business in Beaumont is pairing teenagers looking for work with homeowners who need help shovelling their driveway.
“We wanted to create an opportunity for them not only to make money, but to also learn hard work ethic and what it’s like to have a job,” Shlebey Mounsef, the co-owner of Frost Bite Snow Removal, said.
Frost Bite Snow Removal only hires teens, as Mounsef said the focus is to help them learn what it’s like to be dedicated to something outside of school and also to help them tuck away some money for their future.
There are 20 to 30 shovellers on the roster this season and they cover a lot of ground throughout the winter months.
“We tend to match the houses to the shoveller based on area so that they don’t have to travel too far,” Mounsef told CTV News Edmonton.
Helping the snowed-in homeowners clear their driveways and pathways can be a tough job.
“It depends on the temperature,” Cash Olstad, a 13-year-old shoveller, said. “If it’s warm out, then it’s easier. If it’s -25, then it’s a lot harder.”
“We know it’s cold out. Nobody wants to shovel their snow, but that’s part of having a job,” Mounsef explained. “Not a lot of people want to go to work in the mornings, but that’s just part of growing up and I think this is a great way for the kids to learn that while also getting to save money at a young age.”
In November, Olstad was named “Shoveller of the Month.” The reward? A $200 bonus for shovelling the most homes.
“It felt really good to know that I was the one who was working the hardest out of everyone else,” he said.
“I wanted the money and I wanted to help out as many people as I can.”
Shoveller of the Month, Cash Olstad. (Source: Frost Bite Snow Removal Facebook)
Mounsef told CTV News the business's yearly scholarship of $1,000 encourages a lot of teens to return every year.
“I’m really excited to see how far they’ll go,” she added.
For more information on how to get involved or to have your home cleared, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.