Band Blitz Raises Awareness, Money for GreenCare for Troops

Music and laughter filled the air throughout the beautiful September evening as hundreds of people attended the first Band Blitz fundraiser in support of GreenCare for Troops, a nationwide program providing free lawn and landscape services to eligible military families.

Throughout the evening, three local bands took the stage to entertain and share the message of GCFT. Military families with a deployed service member, and post-9/11 veterans with a service-connected disability are eligible to receive basic lawn and landscape services from program volunteers.

The first Band Blitz to benefit GreenCare for Troops hit all the right notes with attendees.

More than $10,000 was raised through tickets sales, food and beverage and raffle ticket sales for chances to win Toro power equipment to help grow the program to help more military families in need. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the Delano American Legion.

State Rep. Joe McDonald read a proclamation from Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton announcing GreenCare for Troops/Delano American Legion Post 377 Day; and Congressman Tom Emmer warmly greeted the crowd.

Local GCFT volunteers William Krammer of Lake Elmo, MN; and Spencer Werness of Burnsville, MN, were recognized by the crowd. Werness’ son serves in the Army National Guard.

Band Blitz 1 Cindy and Spencer | Project EverGreen

Project EverGreen Executive Director Cindy Code with GCFT volunteer Spencer Werness.

“Thriving lawns, trees and plants go beyond the aesthetics; they are an integral part of the social fabric of a community, and provide a safe yard for kids to play and a serene environment for military families to de-stress,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Managed yards are also instrumental in helping wounded veterans rehab and re-connect with their families.”

The three bands playing during the event were: The Delano Six, Little Chicago and Delano River Band. Little Chicago is managed by Delano natives Den and Dan Gardner. Den Gardner was instrumental in the launch of GCFT in 2006.

GreenCare for Troops volunteer William Krammer enjoys the Band Blitz with PE’s Cindy Code.

The fundraiser was supported by: The Toro Co., State Bank of Delano, GIE Media, Weed Man USA, Bridge House Coffee & Café, Jack Tackaberry, Calbrandt Inc., Lupine Brewing Co., Gardner & Gardner Communications, Bonde Bistro, Delano Herald Journal, Coborn’s, HJ Development, Randy’s Environmental Services, American Family Insurance.

Celebrating GreenCare for Troops Awareness Week

A One Word Answer: Gratitude

By Jenna Richardson

Gratitude. A simple word yet when acted on, can stir positive feelings for all involved. People often feel a need to help others and a fulfillment in doing so. The act of gratitude often goes hand-in-hand with volunteering.

At Lawn Dawg, we understand the importance and value of giving back to our communities. Not only do we have a social responsibility, but there is also an interest from customers, employees, and the community. From a customer stand point, people respect and appreciate companies who support causes they connect with. Employees, too, have a tendency to align their values to a company’s core value and take pride in those efforts.

As a green industry professional, one way Lawn Dawg gives back is through Project Evergreen’s GreenCare for Troops program. What better way to show our gratitude to the men and women serving our country, than by beautifying the lawn and landscape around their home! The green space around a home is where memories are made – barbequing, kids playing, pets running, gardening, and much more.

It’s no secret that deployments are a stressful time for military families. Being able to take this small task off the plate of the spouse on the home front during a time of deployment is the least we can do! Not only are we lending a helping hand, but it’s one less thing for the family to worry about. As a green industry professional, doing the job you love and knowing you’re helping a military family at a time they need it most is all-around rewarding.

As a military wife, having been through two deployments with my husband, this program certainly holds near and dear to me. I take pride in working for Lawn Dawg who is a proud supporter of our troops and I hope to raise more awareness of this program for both volunteering companies and participating military families. Godspeed.

Jenna Richardson is the executive director of marketing for Lawn Dawg in Nashua, New Hampshire

The Never Ending Value of Volunteerism

By Sean Casey

Want to do something that makes you feel really good? It’s likely something you do each and every day but this time it’s different. It’s because it’s done on your own time, of your own accord for totally unselfish reasons. Volunteer!!

Sign up to share your time and skills for those who can’t do for themselves. Green Care for Troops™ and Snow Care for Troops™ are two wonderful opportunities to share your skills and resources. Whether helping families with deployed heads of household or a disabled veteran your time and talent make you the perfect volunteer.

You don’t have to look too far to find a family whose head of household is deployed leaving only one person at home to do the work of two. In fact we have a list of needy families. Sign up to stop by that home and mow the lawn once a week. You’re going by there anyway. Trim the bushes a couple times a year and edge the sidewalk. What you do every day without thinking about it would be such a significant help to that family. And your time and expenses are tax deductible.

The same goes for those of you in the northern states in the winter. Volunteer to plow or shovel snow for the family of a disabled veteran. Give back to a person that gave almost everything they had to serve our country and defend our right to freedom. It’s a small ask of you but means so much to the recipient of your efforts.

Consider adding “Volunteering my time and talent” to your new year’s resolution list. In fact by now most of us have broken our original resolutions so why not replace them with one that’s easy to keep. Why not add volunteering your time and talent to Green Care for Troops and Snow Care for Troops? You’ll feel great about doing what you do each and every day.

Want an eye opener of the real value of volunteering? Check this out

Sean Casey is President of Sales, Turf & Ornamental for Nufarm Americas, Inc. and a longtime member of the Project EverGreen board.