New Yorkers Earn $30/Hour Shoveling Snow After Historic Blizzard

City program sees record number of volunteers clear snow-covered streets and sidewalks

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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When a historic winter storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow on New York City, the city's online-native mayor, Zohran Mamdani, urged residents to sign up as emergency snow shovelers, offering $30 per hour. Business Insider spoke with three New Yorkers who answered the call, describing sore backs, soaked boots, and a renewed sense of civic pride as they worked alongside neighbors to clear crosswalks, bus stops, and fire hydrants.

Why it matters

The emergency snow shoveling program, which dates back to 1897, saw a record number of volunteers this year as the city sought to quickly clear streets and sidewalks after the historic blizzard. The increased pay and community-driven effort highlighted the city's responsiveness to the needs of residents, especially those facing financial hardship, while also strengthening neighborhood bonds.

The details

The three shovelers, Barbara Leung, Stephen Bolles, and Ciara Leynes, described the physically demanding work but said they enjoyed the camaraderie and sense of giving back to their communities. Some noted issues with the quality of the shovels provided, but overall praised the city's coordination and responsiveness compared to previous snow events. The program paid out over $30 per hour, which the shovelers said was crucial to helping them cover essentials like food and bills during a tough financial month.

  • Last weekend, a storm dumped a foot of snow on New York City.
  • On Monday, Stephen Bolles shoveled with a group of about 15 people.
  • By Wednesday, the crew Bolles worked with had grown to 25 people.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The online-native mayor of New York City who urged residents to sign up as emergency snow shovelers.

Barbara Leung

A 36-year-old sales operations director who lives in Gramercy and spent 12 hours shoveling in Chinatown.

Stephen Bolles

A 33-year-old stand-up comedian and handyman who shoveled snow in East Harlem.

Ciara Leynes

A 29-year-old former real estate agent in Astoria who is unemployed and participated in the snow shoveling program.

Josh Goodman

The Department of Sanitation's deputy commissioner for public affairs and customer experience.

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What they’re saying

“I wanted to give back to the community. I see these people every day — and I think of my mom and my relatives. I don't want my mom to have to step into a puddle or slip on ice. It's like, 'Oh, I can make someone else's mom's life better, too.'”

— Barbara Leung, sales operations director (Business Insider)

“The community really came together, especially where I'm at. It was probably one of the most community-driven things I've done in this neighborhood.”

— Stephen Bolles, stand-up comedian and handyman (Business Insider)

“I'm unemployed, I'm trying my best to get a job. People are willing to work — they want to work. You just have to pay them and give them an opportunity.”

— Ciara Leynes, former real estate agent (Business Insider)

What’s next

The city plans to continue the emergency snow shoveling program, with officials stating they will look into any complaints about the quality of the shovels provided to workers.

The takeaway

The city's response to the historic blizzard, including the record-breaking emergency snow shoveling program that paid $30 per hour, demonstrated the municipality's ability to quickly mobilize resources and engage the community. This effort not only cleared streets and sidewalks, but also fostered a renewed sense of civic pride and community spirit among participating New Yorkers.