Heritage Landscape Supply Group Donates $25,000 to GreenCare for Troops

“Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.” – Aretha Franklin

The power of music to positively impact people’s lives is well-documented and it was on display September 19 in Orlando at the Heritage Landscape Supply Group’s Heritage Cares ELEVATE Charity Concert benefiting Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops initiative.

The benefit concert, which featured 2022 Academy of Country Music award winners for New Male and Female Artists of the Year, Parker McCollum and Lainey Wilson, was capped off with Heritage COO Chris McMurrough presenting Project EverGreen with a $25,000 check.

“Our entire Heritage family is dedicated to supporting the professional contractors in the green industry and this is a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community, listen to some amazing live music, and give back to military families through the GreenCare for Troops initiative,” said McMurrough.

The concert, attended by more than 500 green industry professionals participating in the NALP ELEVATE Show, featured a pair of special guests: GreenCare for Troops volunteer Mike Allen of Britestone Restoration and Powerwash in Orlando and Staff Sergeant in the Florida National Guard Bryce Eskes and his wife, Colleen, from Ocoee, Florida.

Allen has been a GreenCare for Troops volunteer for four years and provides mowing, fertilization, weed control and shrub trimming to the Eskes family. Sgt. Eskes was deployed for 18 months during his call up starting in March 2020  to lead the 256^th Medical Company Area Support team of medics to South Florida in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his deployment, Eskes and his team established multiple community-based testing sites and his team was selected as the first team to establish protocols and execute the mission of testing in assisted living facilities, nursing Homes, and state prisons

“Mike Allen and the GreenCare for Troops program has been a life-saver for me,” said Eskes. “Mike provided a vital service during my deployment ensuring that my yard and home were maintained for the overall health of my family and neighborhood.”

“Through GreenCare for Troops, professional lawn and landscape volunteers provide the gift of a well-maintained lawn and yard that provides physical, mental health and environmental benefits to military families serving our country,” said Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Proceeds from this terrific concert, sponsored by Heritage Landscape Supply Group, helps make those services possible.”

GreenCare for Troops marks its 16^th year in 2022 and has provided an estimated $15 million in donated lawn and landscape services and peace of mind to thousands of military families in need across the country.

Heritage Cares is affiliated with the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation, dedicated to supporting organizations that serve veterans and their families as well as those that address disaster relief and other local community needs.

Research has shown a correlation between green spaces, improved air quality and carbon sequestration; reduced heat buildup and lower cooling costs. Access to green spaces has also shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, improve attention levels and reduce feelings of fear and anger in both adults and children. They also foster closer-knit communities and improve the overall well-being of residents.

In addition to Nufarm as the Title Sponsor, Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Heritage Landscape Supply Group and BOSS Snowplow, and Gold and Silver Partners AMGUARD Environmental Technologies and Arborjet/Ecologel. Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

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