Johny Crooks has harnessed the power of social media to urge professionals to strive for excellence – while inspiring many to join the cause of GreenCare for Troops.

After serving for more than 25 years in the active military, Johny Crooks set his sights on a career in lawn care in Savannah, Georgia. His company, Blades of Grass Lawn Care, has provided complete property grounds maintenance for area residents and businesses since 2009.

Crooks is a dynamo, with a drive for excellence and efficiency you’d expect from a former drill sergeant. But he’s never forgotten his dedication to service of country, or the gratitude due those who continue to deploy to faraway places while leaving family behind.

Which is why Crooks is a dedicated participant in the GreenCare for Troops program.

It was during a deployment that Crooks first came in contact the program. “A first sergeant gave me a web link to GreenCare for Troops,” he said. “I sent an email, and after a quick exchange of information, one of the local service providers came over to take care of our property. That really touched my heart, it was above and beyond what I had ever experienced.”

Once he decided to pursue landscape maintenance as a post-military career, he was determined to give back to military families in the same way.

“We have been doing it for the past eight years, and we work on two to three homes through the year,” said Crooks. “It works out nice and gives you the feeling that you are doing something really positive.

“My thing is, I know I am helping those who really need it,” he continued. “I was a first sergeant, and I know who can and can’t afford it, and we help those who really need the assistance.”

Crooks’ direct assistance is purely local, but his inspiration goes far beyond Savannah. Through a Blades of Grass YouTube channel featuring more than 37,000 followers, and an active Instagram following, Crooks is attracting lawn care and landscape professionals to volunteer, and inspiring returning veterans to consider a career in the landscape industry.

More than 65 professional registrants to GreenCare for Troops have indicated that Crooks’ story, told through his YouTube channel, inspired them to sign up.

“It was an honor to serve, and it’s an honor to give back,” said Crooks.