A Soldier’s SnowCare for Troops Story

As a three-time-deployed soldier in the U.S. Army, Jeremy ‘Jay’ Quenneville knows the stress of leaving behind loved ones when you’re the “go-to” person for household chores and repairs.

Three days into his most recent deployment from the Vermont National Guard of which he’s been a member for more than 20 years, he got a distress call from the family. An ice dam on the roof was causing a massive leak inside the house, and contractors all over the area were inundated with service calls and not available.

“It was very difficult to stay focused on my job in a Medevac unit,” said Quenneville. “Being consumed with issues at home is very stressful. That feeling of helplessness eats at you.”

Quenneville is weighing up one last deployment before he retires, but in between commitments he has built a seasonal snow removal company, Jay’s Snow Plowing, in Fairfax, Vermont, which he launched in December, 2020.

Since starting the business, he’s added an employee, retired fellow soldier Peter Leduc, and is learning to manage demand in this snow-intensive cross-section of New England. Fairfax averages more than 70 inches of snow annually.

Quenneville’s also gearing up to help local military families through Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops program. He has signed up to help up to five households with snow removal and is in the process of reaching out to them and finalizing the details of the service for this season.

While it’s challenging for a small operation like his to take care of five families that are spread across a far-flung rural territory with just a handful of two-lane highways for access, Quenneville is committed to help as much as possible.

“I certainly understand the need from my own experience and want to do what I can to help out local military families who need help with snow removal,” added Quenneville.

About SnowCare for Troops

When the temperatures start to plummet and the winds start blowing, it signifies that winter has arrived and the snow and ice aren’t too far behind. It also means it’s time for homeowners to make sure the snow blower fires up and you have a shovel or two handy for the first winter blast.

However, not all families, including countless military families, are able to keep their driveways and sidewalks free from snow because they cannot find the time to shovel and bring out the snow blower.

As a SnowCare for Troops volunteer you can give the gift of safety to military families when they are most in need of a snowplow that can keep their driveways clean and accessible.

Giving back to military families that sacrifice so much for our country is a selfless service. The dedication military personnel have for our country is inspiring us to work one driveway at a time to make a difference in their lives.

Now celebrating its 12th year, SnowCare for Troops has seen more than 5,000 military families across the country and more than 1,500 snow removal contractors have registered to receive or provide these much-needed services.

By volunteering for this initiative, you will be joining volunteers across the country to provide this valuable service.

Become A Volunteer Today

Are you ready to step up for a military family? Register today at  https://projectevergreen.org/about-the-program-volunteers/

The Title Sponsor of the SnowCare for Troops program in BOSS Snowplow. The GreenCare for Troops program Title Sponsor is Nufarm. Platinum Partners include Toro and SiteOne Landscape Supply. The Gold Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and the Silver Partner is the Propane Education and Research Council

GreenCare for Troops is endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.