Kevin Haggard, of Pendleton, discusses his passion for volunteering and helping others Feb. 6, 2025, in front of Pendleton City Hall. On a snowy Feb. 4 evening, Haggard shoveled the sidewalks at city hall to help community members walk safely.

PENDLETON — As snow fell across Pendleton, one good Samaritan was shoveling sidewalks to help community members walk safely through the winter.

On a quiet, snowy evening Tuesday, Feb. 4, Kevin Haggard left his apartment and dug out the snow from his driveway and sidewalk.

But he didn’t stop there.

Haggard pressed on, shoveling around the block and across the street by the Umatilla River, making his way from one side of his apartment building to the other and clearing the path all the way to Pendleton City Hall and the public library.

He completed this feat while in his motorized wheelchair.

“I think I did a pretty good job,” Haggard said, chuckling as he sat in front of city hall.

Haggard said his apartment building doesn’t have anyone handling maintenance, so whenever it snows, he has to dig himself out and clear a path for himself, his two dogs — Lil Greg and Selma Jean — and others.

“I just don’t do it for myself. I do it for everybody,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for four years.”

The following day, the city of Pendleton posted a video on its Facebook page of Haggard shoveling snow in front of city hall.

“The city of Pendleton wants to let this good Samaritan know he is appreciated,” the post said.

More than 300 community members responded to the post, mostly thanking Haggard for his altruistic work.

But Haggard is no stranger to helping around the city.

Haggard earned the nickname “Mr. Clean” from the headline of an article the East Oregonian wrote in 2019 about him cleaning litter off the ground throughout Pendleton. He took the headline and put it on his business card.

Haggard runs a sewing business from his apartment, sewing aprons, designing pet clothes and handling alterations, hems and more.

Outside of his business, Haggard focuses his leisure time on an annual benevolent project. Three years ago, he started a canned food drive to supply food banks and help community members in need.

The first canned food drive Haggard organized was called Party in the Park. The following year, it was renamed Music in the Park. This year, the event is the Family Fund Day and is scheduled for June 14. The event takes place annually at Roy Raley Park.

Haggard said he has an account with the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon where he sends all the proceeds and canned goods. CAPECO then distributes the donations to help feed people in 47 communities.

“I do that to basically put the food back into our communities,” Haggard said. “I do everything I can to please people.”

In addition, Haggard started a neighborhood watch, where he monitors criminal activity in his area and along the Umatilla River.

During the Pendleton Farmers Market season, he sets up a tent with Wanda Alanis, owner of Country Cozy, to sell his sewn goods and hand out free lollipops.

Haggard said he also hands out free meals to the homeless whenever he finds the time.

“I really appreciate all the support the city has given me,” Haggard said. “I really do.”

Community members interested in volunteering for Family Fund Day can message Haggard on Facebook.

Haggard said he’s always looking for volunteers to help out the community.

“I just don’t do it for myself. I do it for everybody.”

— Kevin Haggard, who shovels snow from sidewalks while in his motorized wheelchair