Kevin Shaunty, founder and owner of Shaunty’s Lawn and Landscape on the Kansas side of suburban Kansas City, has been a GreenCare for Troops and SnowCare for Troops volunteering for more than a decade, helping 30 military families during that time.

“I think the program managers contacted me, if I remember correctly, and being a veteran myself, I thought it would be a great way to give back to the military community here in Kansas,” says Shaunty.

Shaunty’s own military experience began in 1988 when he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Newport News, Virginia, shortly before the commissioning of the USS Abraham Lincoln. When the ship was commissioned, he was among the crew members who sailed it around South America to its home port in Alameda, California.

He then completed two tours in the Middle East during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm before returning home in 1993.

As a civilian, Kevin Shaunty worked for the state of Kansas and later for the city of Overland Park, performing bridge inspections and working in road construction. Then opportunity came knocking.

“I knew a guy who owned quite a few fast-food restaurants in the area, and he was looking for a landscape maintenance company,” says Shaunty. “I talked it over with my wife, and we decided to take the leap. That’s how we started in 2007, and we’ve been in business ever since.”

Today, Shaunty’s is a full-service lawn and landscape company providing everything from lawn maintenance to landscape design, construction and installation for residential and commercial clients. Despite its growth, the company has remained local, serving customers from a single central office.

Going All In for Military Families

GreenCare for Troops and SnowCare for Troops families are placed on the schedule alongside Shaunty’s other clients, but crews are always notified when they will be providing service to a military family.

“When the crew is on site with a military family, they know that if there’s some small stuff around the house that we notice needs to be done, we’ll take care of that for them, too,” says Shaunty. “All our crews seem to enjoy helping these families.”

Families often share their gratitude through cards, letters and the occasional gift basket. One deployed service member even called the office every couple of weeks to check on how things were going back home.

Kevin Shaunty appreciates the acknowledgment, but for him, volunteering is ultimately about providing a valuable service during what can be a challenging time for military families.

“For the person that’s being deployed away from their family, they’ve got a million things to deal with,” says Shaunty. “I just think that taking something off their plate, like lawn care, so they don’t have to worry about it is really a valuable service we can provide.”

After more than a decade of volunteering, Kevin Shaunty’s commitment reflects what GreenCare for Troops is all about: green industry professionals using their skills and resources to make life a little easier for military families when they need it most.

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.