GreenCare for Troops Announces You Move, We Mow Challenge

GreenCare for Troops announces a fundraiser so you can step up for military families while promoting a greener, healthier, cooler Earth by participating in the GreenCare for Troops You Move, We Mow Challenge!

Join us during GreenCare for Troops Awareness Week, June 23-29, 2024, as we walk, run, bike or hike in support of our deployed military families. In celebration of the program’s 18^th anniversary, the challenge is simple – record 18,000 steps during the awareness week through an activity of your choice.

By joining this challenge, you will help provide free lawn and landscape services to those who sacrifice so much for our nation, while also promoting green spaces in our communities. With each step you’ll make a tangible difference in the lives of our brave service members, their families, and the environment — not to mention the health benefits for yourself!

“Behind every uniform is a family that sacrifices alongside them,” said Ki Matsko, program manager for GreenCare for Troops. “Participating in the You Move, We Mow Challenge is a way to honor their service, showing them that their sacrifices are seen, appreciated, and are never forgotten.”

Services provided at no cost to military families by our dedicated volunteers result in healthy yards for children to play, shady areas of solitude for stressed parents to relax and well-maintained properties with environmental and aesthetic value.

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

Whether you’re a walker, runner, cyclist, hiker or backyard enthusiast, there’s a place for you in the challenge. Gather your co-workers, friends, family, or community members to lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement in solidarity with our troops and our planet.

Registration Information

Cost: $25 per participant

The first 100 participants to register receive a pair of limited edition GreenCare for Troops garden gloves and a packet of carbon converter wildflower seeds.

REGISTER NOW

Who Can Register?

Everyone is welcome to participate. Register your fellow employees, family and friends.

Here is some motivation and ideas to show you how easy and rewarding it is to accomplish the 18,000-step challenge:

• The average American walks 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day.
• A sedentary person may only average 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day.
• 18,000 steps is only 2,572 steps per day for 7 straight days. Totally doable for everyone!
• One-mile equals about 2,000 steps.
• 1,500 steps equals 15 minutes of walking; consider two walks of 15 minutes per day.
• 3,000 steps equals about 30 minutes of walking
• On average, you’ll move at a pace of 6,336 steps per hour while mowing.
• 1 mile of running at a moderate effort equals three miles of cycling at the same effort level.
• 30-minute hike with hills equals 6,360 steps

About GreenCare for Troops

GreenCare for Troops is a nationwide outreach program sponsored by Project EverGreen and our company to care for lawns and landscapes of families of deployed military personnel.

In addition to Nufarm as the Title Sponsor, Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, AMGUARD Environmental Sciences  and Heritage Landscape Supply. The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel.

Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

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

How can military families request services?

Families may register online at the Project EverGreen website or by calling Project EverGreen’s Ki Matsko (kimatsko@projectevergreen.com), Nici Trem (nicitrem@projectevergreen.com) and Shelley Kane (shelleykane@projectevergreen.com) at 888.611.2955.

Why are green spaces important to military families?

Parks, lawns, landscapes and maintained green spaces help to mitigate temperature increases in communities and significantly reduce energy use and cooling costs. Project EverGreen’s initiatives – GreenCare for Troops and GreenCare for Communities – have made a significant impact.

Through its nationwide base of professional volunteers, Project EverGreen has connected people, plants and their communities to maximize the health of grass, plants and trees, which in turn sequesters carbon and cleans the air.

Both initiatives support healthy green spaces in neighborhoods and cities, enabling maintained green spaces to function as the lungs of the city and offsetting the negative effects of a warming environment.

For more information on the benefits of green spaces, visit www.ProjectEverGreen.org