Two decades of giving back have given Chris Kujawa a front-row seat to the remarkable growth of Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops and SnowCare for Troops programs.

As president of Oak Creek, Wisconsin-based KEI Enterprises, Inc., Kujawa was one of the early supporters of the initiative 20 years ago and has remained a dedicated supporter ever since.

“To be honest, from the beginning the concept was very simple,” Kujawa explains. “Let’s pair lawn and landscape contractors in local communities with military families who are facing the challenge of a mom or dad being deployed and taking care of their lawns while they’re away.”

Chris Kujawa proudly displays an American flag presented by a deployed service member whose family received support through GreenCare for Troops. The flag, flown on a combat mission over the Red Sea, serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact a simple act of service can have on military families.

Snow and ice removal services were added later, but the mission has remained the same.

“We’re helping individuals who are literally putting it all on the line, often in places where they may never return.”

For KEI, participating in GreenCare for Troops and SnowCare for Troops has generated tremendous goodwill throughout the community, strengthened connections with military families, and reinforced the company’s culture of service.

“There’s nothing about it that’s self-serving,” Kujawa says. “Our people are proud to be part of it, and they’re proud to serve these families.”

KEI recently completed service for two military families and has already been matched with another household requesting assistance. Most of the families they serve are connected to the National Guard, meaning they are often middle-income families with young children navigating the challenges of deployment.

“From our standpoint, we’re helping families who aren’t living on sprawling estates,” he says. “These are hard-working Americans facing a major disruption to their lives and their income. We can provide what amounts to a minimal investment of labor that makes a tremendous difference for them.”

Sometimes that difference is acknowledged with a simple thank-you. Other times, it becomes a memory that lasts a lifetime.

“We had a deployed soldier from one of the families we helped last winter stop by recently and present me with an American flag displayed in a custom case,” Kujawa recalls. “He had actually flown that flag on a combat mission over the Red Sea.”

The moment was deeply moving.

“I was emotional. I had tears in my eyes,” he says. “I couldn’t thank him enough. He told me there were times during the biggest snowstorms when our crews came out multiple times to keep everything clear. His wife never had to worry about it. She already had enough on her plate taking care of the kids, getting them ready for school, and managing everything at home. Not having to shovel snow or spread deicer made a huge difference for her. I was the one who was blown away.”

As Project EverGreen celebrates the 20th anniversary of GreenCare for Troops and SnowCare for Troops, Kujawa believes there has never been a better time for companies to get involved. The need continues to grow. Since January 1, 2026, 387 military families have registered for lawn care or snow removal assistance, while 48 new volunteer organizations have joined the effort.

“I would recommend that any company in an area where military families need help participate in GreenCare for Troops and SnowCare for Troops,” Kujawa says. “Just do it. It’s only a few hours for a couple of employees. From my perspective, it’s not a significant expense. It’s great for company culture because our employees genuinely enjoy helping. And the impact you have on a military family is incredible. They truly appreciate it.”

For KEI Enterprises, two decades of service have reinforced a simple truth: a few hours of work can ease the burden on families that sacrifice for our country, and those small acts of kindness often leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.

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.