Illinois Volunteer Follows Family’s Deep Commitment to Service

GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops volunteer Eric Doersam put himself through college working for a landscape company, but when teaching didn’t work out as expected he returned to the green industry and made it his career. He ran his own operation for a decade but running the business and taking care of customers was wearing him thin.

In 2014, he signed on as a franchisee for The Grounds Guys in McHenry, Illinois. With his wife helping to manage the business, growth has come slow and steady.

“Today, we run five trucks and four trailers with eight field employees, a full-time salesperson, and a fully staffed office,” says Doersam. Services run the gamut, from full landscape and lawn maintenance to snow removal for both residential and commercial clients.

An Enthusiastic Volunteer

Doersam has been an enthusiastic supporter of GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops from the time the opportunity was presented to him by one of his salespeople in 2016.

“One of the main reasons this is near and dear to my heart is because my father and brother both served,” says Doersam. “My dad served in Vietnam, and my brother was in Bosnia. Being a part of the program is a great way to give something back.”

He’s been able to help several individuals and families over the years with both snow removal and landscape care services, some who found themselves in difficult circumstances.

Making A Big Difference for Military Families

A recent customer was a young man still living at home whose deployment required him leaving an elderly parent behind who was unable to take care of the yard.

“The mom was able to take advantage of the program so we could help them, and this made such a big difference for them,” says Doersam.

“Participating in GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops gives me sense of pride that our little company can give back to veterans,” he adds. “It’s not about getting any accolades; it’s about helping people who are serving our country.”

Helping Healthcare Heroes This Winter

With winter unleashing its full furry across many parts of the country, there is a need to assist our military families as well as healthcare professionals and first responders serving on the front lines of the pandemic with snow removal services and Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops program is ready to help.

To participate, SnowCare for Troops volunteers are asked to nominate frontline healthcare professionals in their community to receive snow and ice removal services. Volunteers are encouraged to identify potential recipients through neighborhood groups, school or church groups or social media. The expanded program will run through April 1, 2021.

Once an individual or family has been identified and parameters of service established, SnowCare for Troops volunteers are asked to provide the name, address and list of services provided to Project EverGreen for its database to ensure they are properly matched in the database.

Are you ready to step up and become a volunteer for a health care hero or military family? Register today at  https://projectevergreen.org/about-the-program-volunteers/

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

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