BREMERTON – On Thursday Mayor Greg Wheeler announced plans for a community “shovel-off” this weekend near neighborhood schools.

Students in Bremerton had an unexpected winter break this week, with classes canceled five days straight after a record snowfall blanketed city streets and made for perilous driving conditions.

While the city is not technically responsible for clearing sidewalks in front of homes, businesses and schools, the mayor hopes to marshal volunteers to help make school walkways passable by the time classes resume Tuesday.

“Mayor Greg Wheeler recognizes these record breaking winter storms have created unprecedented conditions,” a statement from Wheeler’s office reads. “Heavy snow accumulations on sidewalks around Bremerton District schools remain a primary concern and safety issue for students walking to neighborhood schools.”

Volunteers are asked to dress warmly and bring a snow shovel to the Norm Dicks Government Center at 345 6th Street in Bremerton on Saturday, at 9:00 a.m. Shovelers will be put to work at schools within a half-mile radius of city hall.

For more information call the mayor’s office at (360) 473-5266.