M.A.A.C. Property Services Volunteers to Say Thanks

M.A.A.C. Property Services in Niles, Michigan has been serving up to two families each year for about a decade as volunteers for the GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops program. Its primary business comes from full-service commercial landscape maintenance work, but slicing off some time to help military families in need was too great a cause for them to not make some exceptions to the rule, says owner Mark Schlutt.

“It was brought up at the SIMA Conference I believe, and I thought it was a great idea, so I got the company involved,” he recalls. It is also something that hits close to home.

“My sister was 11 years in Airborne, her husband is retired Airborne, their oldest son was 10 years Airborne, and their youngest son was a West Point grad and Ranger captain,” he explains. “He was badly injured by an IED four years ago but is back at it running marathons. I’m so proud of my sister and her family, and this is my way of giving back and saying thanks for their sacrifice.”

Volunteering has provided a lot of gratification, with expressed thanks coming almost universally from military families they help. But one military family demonstrated their gratitude in a more tangible way.

A Rapid Deployment

Luke Steffel lives with his girlfriend and their two children in Granger, Indiana, just across the Michigan border from the M.A.A.C. Property Services headquarters. He’s currently a reservist with the Wisconsin Air Guard, which he joined a decade ago while living in the state before moving the family to Indiana. His specialty is in the legal field, and he’s served as a judge advocate, worked on special victims’ cases, and provided operational legal advice over the course of his career.

He’s also deployed several times, most recently from last December through July to Guantanamo Bay. Because it was just him and not a larger unit, the preparation time was short.

“I didn’t have to go through a lot of background and training,” recalls Steffel. “There was no real deep dive, it was ‘hey, here’s where you are headed, so figure out the arrangements and let’s go.”

With the prospect of leaving a working partner and two children being a big stressor, he was thrilled to hear about GreenCare-SnowCare for Troops from a fellow soldier that was deploying with a brigade.

“I contacted GreenCare for Troops and they were able to connect me with M.A.A.C.,” says Steffel. “They said, ‘whatever you need, just let us know,’ and for that time of year it was snow removal.”

“It was a big help,” he says.  “Knowing all headaches there would be at home and managing work and the kids and the household, it was great knowing that one of those things would not a headache. They were able to take care of it – it was a big benefit, and something I did not have to worry about.

“It’s definitely a wonderful organization,” he continues, “that really helps with things back home which, in the big picture, is really the more stressful part of the job when you are deployed far from home. It’s especially true for us, as we have no family nearby to help.”

The Steffel family was so grateful, Luke brought a special gift back from Cuba – an American flag that was flown over Guantanamo Bay for nine minutes and eleven seconds to honor and commemorate the sacrifices of those lost in the 9/11 attacks. They also presented a certificate of appreciation from the Steffel’s commanding officer.

“I thought it was awesome that they would go out of their way to present this to us, we were so thankful,” says Schlutt. “This kind of gratitude makes it especially worthwhile to volunteer.”

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.

A single group or individual cannot transform lawns, landscapes and parks but Project EverGreen’s coalition of businesses and individuals helps maintain green spaces so they can thrive.

Become A Volunteer Today

Are you ready to step up for a military family? Register today

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program Title Sponsor is Nufarm. SnowCare for Troops program in BOSS Snowplow. Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, AMGUARD Environmental Sciences and Heritage Landscape Supply Group. 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