Weary sighs of 9-year-old shovelling snow go viral after Toronto storm
Carter Trozzolo was ready to go back to school, but the weather had other plans
Carter Trozzolo just wanted to go back to school on Monday, but a massive snowstorm that dumped more than 30 centimetres of snow on Toronto kept him home.
Still, the nine-year-old bundled up and went out — with his shovel. He cleared all the snow that came his way until he was exhausted.
"I just like shovelling, I guess," he told As It Happens host Carol Off. "And to be outside when I have nothing to do."
His efforts — and weary sighs — were captured by a CTV News camera crew. The video has since taken off on social media.
Here’s my kid! <a href="https://t.co/LAKmXRjewN">https://t.co/LAKmXRjewN</a> <a href="https://t.co/NCpoJYgPbo">pic.twitter.com/NCpoJYgPbo</a>
—@HopHeadRachelTrozzolo shovelled the sidewalk in front of his house, along with the front steps and walkway. He also cleared the path for at least three neighbours.
"I saw one of the neighbours look out the window," he said, again with a sigh, as he explained that nobody came out to thank him.
Being a good neighbour
But his parent Rachel DiSaia says it's not about getting thanks. They just want their son to be a good neighbour.
"We try to be part of our community in the most useful way possible," DiSaia said. "So I tend to shovel for our neighbours as well … Carter has been helping out with that for the past couple of years. But he's reached the age where he can do some of it on his own.
"I'm really appreciative and it makes a big difference for the street," they said.
Some people in the neighbourhood did take notice, though — a crew from CTV News stopped the nine-year-old to chat.
Trozzolo's heavy sighs, from all the shovelling, have since gone viral on Twitter and TikTok.
He told CTV News that he was so tired that he'd rather be in school.
"We live in a dramatic time," DiSaia said. "I think I could serve Carter his favourite meal and I would get a similar sigh … It just comes with him."
After spending hours out in the snow, Trozzolo went in to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate like any other kid.
As for his neighbours, he's not holding out for a token of appreciation, but he thinks they'll eventually come around.
"Maybe some time before the snow melts," he sighed.
Written by Mehek Mazhar. Interview with Carter Trozzolo and Rachel DiSaia produced by Chris Harbord.
