(Left to right) Thomas Halligan and Brayden Ferreira
SEYMOUR – With Mother Nature poised to pack a wintry punch over the next few days, two Seymour Middle School students are prepared to help the town’s elderly and disabled residents weather any storm.
Thomas Halligan, 14, and Brayden Ferreira, 13, recently launched the Seymour Snow Brigade. The initiative is aimed at helping residents – namely seniors and those who are disabled – get their sidewalks and pathways to their front doors cleared of snow, free of charge.
The boys, who are also both members of the Seymour Middle School National Junior Society, came up with the idea as a community service project.
They didn’t have any start-up costs – they’re using their own shovels to do the job.
“We knew that there are a lot of people in Seymour who could use our help,” Thomas said. “When we see their reactions and hear how thankful and happy they are, it motivates us even more to continue.”
Brayden said the Seymour Snow Brigade launched Jan. 20 with a promotional flyer posted to a Seymour’s community Facebook page.
Brayden said 15 residents signed up for help.
“The residents who have reached out to us are mostly elderly, and many of them also have very serious health conditions which prevent them from being able to do the snow removal themselves,” Brayden said. “It makes us feel good to help others, especially the elderly.”
Thomas and Brayden have recruited a few other student volunteers, including brothers Ryan and Collin Wolf. They’re looking for more people to volunteer.
“We can only keep this project going if we have volunteers who can help us, because we can’t do it all on our own,” Thomas said. “Even if they’re only able to help one neighbor, it would make a big difference. This is a great chance for students who want to earn some community service hours, or a family who would like to be involved in their own community and spread some kindness.”
Thomas and Brayden’s moms are helping coordinate. The goal is to match volunteers with residents based on location and availability.
If you are a (Seymour) senior citizen (65+) or have a disability that makes snow removal difficult, you can request assistance by sending a private message to the boys’ moms Jennifer Ribeiro Ferreira or Kate Halligan via the Seymour Community Facebook page or by sending an email to seymoursnowbrigade@gmail.com. Volunteers looking to join the Snow Brigade are also encouraged to reach out using the same contact information.
For safety’s sake, any volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult while participating in snow removal activities.
Thomas, the official team photographer for the SMS Boys Basketball team, a travel baseball player and swimmer, is no stranger to helping others. He pitched in with clean-up efforts after the devastating floods last August wiped out most of the businesses in Klarides Village.
Brayden, when he’s not busy shoveling snow, is team manager for the SMS Boys Basketball team, plays soccer and loves to fish.
Halligan and Ribeiro Ferreira said they couldn’t be more proud of their sons.
“Hearing how much it has meant to those families that they have already been able to help, shows what an impact these boys have made in our town,” Halligan said. “Hopefully the example they’ve set will encourage others to volunteer, too.”
