Weed Man Launches Challenge Coin Initiative Honoring GreenCare for Troops Families

Weed Man has launched a Challenge Coin recognition initiative to honor military families participating in Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops program. A charter supporter of Project EverGreen and one of North America’s leading lawn care franchise organizations, Weed Man continues to demonstrate its long-standing commitment to those who serve. Currently, Weed Man serves 275 military families in 29 states through the program.

Rooted in military tradition, challenge coins are symbols of service, sacrifice, camaraderie, and appreciation. Select Weed Man franchisees will present a custom challenge coin to every GreenCare for Troops family they serve as a lasting reminder that their sacrifices are recognized and valued by the communities they call home.

Madison, Wisconsin-based Epic3 franchise group, which currently provides complimentary lawn care services to 102 military families across 16 states, is one of the drivers of the Challenge Coin initiative.

“Weed Man is both excited and honored to expand our partnership with Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops,” said Cam Cundiff of Epic3. “We want to do our part in giving back to the service members and families who sacrifice for our country every day, and this program allows us to do exactly that.”

Weed Man -Project EverGreen

Cam Cundiff of the Epic3 franchise group displays the custom Weed Man Challenge Coin that will be presented to GreenCare for Troops families as a symbol of gratitude and recognition for the sacrifices they make while a loved one serves our country. Epic3 currently provides complimentary lawn care services to 102 military families across 16 states.

Cundiff said they designed this challenge coin as a token of their profound respect and appreciation for deployed service members and their loved ones.

“Each family benefiting from GreenCare for Troops through an Epic3 franchise will receive a coin, letting them know we have their lawns covered while they serve and protect our country,” added Cundiff. “We hope it serves as a comforting reminder of home.”

Joe Schaffel, Weed Man franchise owner in Fort Worth, Texas, and an Army veteran said they want every family we serve to know their sacrifice matters.

“The challenge coin is a simple but meaningful way to express our gratitude and let military families know they are supported and appreciated,” said Schaffel.

“Since the beginning of GreenCare for Troops, Weed Man franchisees have stepped forward to serve military families in communities across the country,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Their commitment reflects the best of our industry by combining service, community support, and environmental stewardship. The lawns and landscapes they maintain help create healthy outdoor spaces where families can gather, children can play, and military families can enjoy a sense of normalcy while their loved ones are serving our country.”

In addition to supporting military families, the healthy lawns and landscapes maintained through GreenCare for Troops provide measurable environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved air quality, stormwater management, reduced urban heat, and safer outdoor environments for families.

Collectively, the properties served by Weed Man through GreenCare for Troops generate environmental benefits that include sequestering carbon, cleaning the air and creating cooler yards and homes.

During its 20th anniversary year, Project EverGreen is encouraging lawn care operators, landscape contractors, irrigation professionals, arborists, sports field managers, snow and ice professionals, and green industry suppliers to join the growing network of volunteers serving military families nationwide.

Since its inception in 2006, GreenCare for Troops has connected more than 15,000 volunteers with 20,000 military families and generated more than $20 million in donated lawn and landscape services. Today, more than 1,600 volunteers continue to serve military families across the United States, helping ease the burden of deployment one property at a time.

The need remains significant. Since the start of 2026 alone, nearly 400 military families have registered for assistance through the program. Every new volunteer helps ensure those families receive the support they deserve while a loved one serves our nation.

“As we celebrate 20 year serving military families through GreenCare for Troops, we’re reminded that the program’s success is built on the generosity of volunteers and partners like Weed Man,” Code said. “For two decades, lawn care and landscape professionals have stepped forward to support military families in a meaningful way. Their commitment continues to strengthen communities, improve outdoor spaces, and show military families that their sacrifices are appreciated.”

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Deployed families need support now. Be like the dedicated volunteers at Weed Man and step up with GreenCare for Troops and put your expertise to work.

The need is rising and every new volunteer means one less worry for a military family at home. GreenCare for Troops connects lawn and landscape professionals with families to provide essential services during deployment. If you’ve ever thought about giving back, this is the moment.

  • Put your skills to work
  • Support a family in your community
  • Make an immediate, meaningful impact

Join a nationwide network of professionals stepping up when it matters most. Volunteer today. Someone near you is waiting.

Sign up today

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

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

Join us today and be part of something bigger.

Renewal & Remembrance to Be Led by Project EverGreen Beginning in 2027

Renewal & Remembrance, one of the green industry’s longest-running volunteer service traditions, will begin an exciting new chapter in 2027 as Project EverGreen assumes leadership of the annual initiative at Arlington National Cemetery.

Following the 2026 event, stewardship of Renewal & Remembrance will transition from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) to Project EverGreen, ensuring the annual day of service continues to honor America’s veterans while engaging lawn and landscape professionals from across the country.

For nearly 30 years, Renewal & Remembrance has united volunteers who generously donate their time, equipment, and expertise to enhance the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, preserving one of the nation’s most sacred landscapes while paying tribute to the men and women who served.

Renewal & Remembrance - Project EverGreen

Landscape professionals donate their time, talent, and expertise during Renewal & Remembrance, helping preserve the beauty and dignity of Arlington National Cemetery.

“Renewal & Remembrance has always represented the very best of the landscape industry,” said Britt Wood, CEO of NALP. “As NALP looks to the future, we believe Project EverGreen is uniquely positioned to carry this tradition forward. Their history of organizing meaningful community service projects and their commitment to military families, veterans and healthy green spaces make them the ideal organization to lead Renewal & Remembrance into the future.”

Founded by lawn and landscape industry leaders more than two decades ago, Project EverGreen has built a national reputation for mobilizing volunteers, donors, and community partners to restore and maintain healthy green spaces. Through signature initiatives such as GreenCare for Troops and GreenCare for Communities, the nonprofit has developed a proven model for coordinating volunteer projects that serve military families, veterans, and communities nationwide.

“We are honored to be entrusted with the future of Renewal & Remembrance,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “This event has a powerful legacy, and we understand the responsibility that comes with caring for sacred ground and honoring those who served our country. Project EverGreen was created to bring the green industry together in service, and we look forward to working with Arlington National Cemetery, volunteers and supporters to preserve this event while building on its impact for years to come.”

To ensure a seamless transition, NALP will continue to champion Renewal & Remembrance while working alongside Project EverGreen to maintain continuity for volunteers, sponsors, and industry partners.

“From the very beginning, Renewal & Remembrance has been bigger than any one organization,” Wood added. “We are proud of what NALP and our members have built, and we are confident that Project EverGreen will build on that legacy.”

This year’s Renewal & Remembrance will take place July 20, 2026, when hundreds of landscape and lawn care professionals will once again gather at Arlington National Cemetery to continue the event’s longstanding mission of caring for one of America’s most treasured green spaces. The event is made possible through the generous support of industry partners, including title sponsor Stanley Black & Decker, along with NALP Elite Partners Aspire Software, Caterpillar, and STIHL.

Additional support is provided by Gold Partners Carter Machinery, John Deere, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Visterra Landscape Group, as well as Silver Partners Envu, Exmark/Toro, Heritage Landscape Supply Group, Hunter Industries, Proven Winners, RealGreen by WorkWave, and Vermeer.

As Project EverGreen prepares to guide Renewal & Remembrance into its next chapter, the organization’s commitment remains unchanged: bringing the green industry together in service to honor our nation’s heroes while preserving one of America’s most meaningful landscapes for generations to come.

From Veteran to Volunteer: Larry Jennings Supports Military Families Through GreenCare for Troops

From veteran to volunteer, Larry Jennings’ journey has been defined by service. After launching Detail Landscaping and Lawn Care in 2012 to maintain 540 rental units he owned in and around Dayton, Ohio, he has grown the business into a full-service lawn and landscape maintenance and construction company operating from 14 locations across seven states.

Despite that growth, Jennings has never lost sight of what he enjoys most about the industry: serving people.

From Veteran to Volunteer - Project EverGreen

Army veteran and Detail Landscaping and Lawn Care owner Larry Jennings recently joined Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops program, bringing his commitment to service from the military to supporting deployed military families through complimentary lawn and landscape care.

Approximately 70% of the company’s clients are residential customers, a reflection of his appreciation for the personal relationships that develop when caring for homes and families.

“I know there’s more money in commercial work, but honestly, it’s not nearly as much fun to service,” he says. “And you’ve got to have fun.”

That passion for helping others, combined with a strong desire to give back to his community, came into focus earlier this year when Jennings received an email from Project EverGreen about GreenCare for Troops, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026. Something about the message resonated with him.

“When I spoke with Ki Matsko, she told me the story behind the program and what they were trying to accomplish,” recalls Jennings. “As a veteran myself, it really felt right to me. I was like, ‘Sure, I’m all in.'”

Jennings understands firsthand the sacrifices military families make during deployment. He served in the U.S. Army for five years in Germany and spent time deployed while his wife and young son remained at home.

Today, Jennings provides complimentary lawn and landscape services to five GreenCare for Troops families. His approach, however, goes beyond maintaining their properties.

When a family is matched with his company, Jennings personally schedules an introductory visit and often brings his wife along.

“I personally give them a call to set up the meeting, and honestly, that first meeting isn’t really about walking the property,” he says. “It’s about getting to know them and building a relationship. We’re showing them this is a family commitment, and they know who we are. We’re not just some strangers showing up on their property. These families are trusting us around their loved ones, and we need to earn that trust.”

That commitment extends beyond lawn care. Jennings makes it clear that he is available to help whenever needed, particularly when a spouse is managing a household alone during deployment.

“I tell them I’m here to help with anything they might need, whether it’s fixing a sink or changing a light bulb,” he says.

He also personally services each of the GreenCare for Troops families assigned to his company.

“When I first learned about the program, it brought me back to when I was deployed,” he says. “We didn’t have this type of support, and I think it’s awesome. What these service members and their families do is incredible. Compared to their sacrifices, the time it takes for us to lend a hand is really nothing.”

Jennings’ enthusiasm for the program is contagious. He believes all 14 of his company’s locations will eventually participate in GreenCare for Troops and serve military families in their communities.

For now, he continues caring for the five families he currently serves and looks forward to celebrating with them when their loved ones return home.

“We’re planning to take each family out to dinner when the deployment is over, if they’re agreeable,” he says with a laugh. “We’d like to have them as friends long after they’re back together again.”

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Deployed families need support now. Step up with GreenCare for Troops and put your expertise to work.

The need is rising and every new volunteer means one less worry for a military family at home. GreenCare for Troops connects lawn and landscape professionals with families to provide essential services during deployment. If you’ve ever thought about giving back, this is the moment.

  • Put your skills to work
  • Support a family in your community
  • Make an immediate, meaningful impact

Join a nationwide network of professionals stepping up when it matters most. Volunteer today. Someone near you is waiting.

Sign up today

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

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

Join us today and be part of something bigger.