“We were not aware of the GreenCare for Troops program before we attended the show and we said to one another, ‘This is something we have to be part of,’” says Stanaway. “The program had special meaning to Aaron since he is a combat veteran and we both thought it would be a great way to honor his and others service.”

Stanaway was excited to promote his involvement with the program and wanted to encourage other landscapers and lawn care professionals to join him. In his search for a unique way to do it, he remembered the t-shirt design contest Project EverGreen and Greencare for Troops Presenting Sponsor Nufarm ran during the show and he found his inspiration.

“We have a customer who owns a t-shirt shop and we thought what better way to honor our military personnel and veterans and promote the program than by having our employees wear shirts with the GreenCare for Troops logo on them,” recalls Stanaway.

Stanaway, whose operation includes a greenhouse and retail location, says with input from Aaron and other employees, they came up with a design that features the GreenCare for Troops logo on the sleeve. The feedback from his crews has been very positive, and he plans on selling the shirts and donating the proceeds to GreenCare for Troops.

“We have so much respect for those who are serving and for their families back home, and this is one small way we can honor that service,” adds Stanaway.

For Bullard, being part of GreenCare for Troops means he is able to help out his fellow veterans and their families – something he knows the importance of very well.

“It means a lot to at least have the chance to get out and help vets like me that are unable or less fortunate coming out having served in the Middle East,” says Bullard. “Maybe it will help to ease some of the burdens that I can truly relate to having had to leave my family behind on my tours.”

Stanaway has also pledged to donate 10 percent of his consultation fees to the program for any landscape design projects he sells this year. He plans on making the donations in the name of the customer as a way to spread the word even further.

The company, which started as a greenhouse founded by Stanaway’s parents in 1998, added landscape services a year after and has evolved into a full-service design operation.

This summer Stanaway has been matched with a family and looks forward to giving back to those who sacrifice so much.

“We want to be a positive influence within the community and give back to those individuals who support our freedom and give us the ability to do what we do every day,” says Stanaway. “If we can take a burden, even a small one, off of a military family and give them one less thing to worry about, it’s the least we can do.”