AUGUSTA — A group of volunteers formed to shovel out the walkways of people who can’t shovel for themselves has drawn so many people looking to lend their hands that there are twice as many volunteers as there are people needing help shoveling.

That may change once word of the Clear Paths and Connected Community program spreads, which is something organizers hope happens. That’s because they’ve got a bigger-picture goal in mind, beyond simply clearing out paths between city streets and the homes of residents who, because of either age or disability, aren’t able to do so for themselves.

The 13 volunteer shovelers, and leaders of the Augusta Age-Friendly committee overseeing the program, hope to help build community connections while shoveling snow.

“When you have neighbors helping neighbors shovel out, you’re connecting with people in the community,” said Bob MacDougall, co-chairman of Augusta Age-Friendly, a group formed in a partnership with AARP to help make the city a more livable community for people of all ages. “It’s a helping hand. It just makes Augusta more livable for everybody, a good way to get the community involved with each other. We have the shovelers signing up faster than those who need to be shoveled.”

So far, the 13 volunteer shovelers shoveled out about a half-dozen walkways, yards or paths to oil fill spouts or propane tanks after each storm in Augusta.

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