Blades of Good: Lawn Care as Quiet Community Support By Brian Schwartz, I Want To Mow Your Lawn Inc. [picture below]
In lawn and turf care, most of the time, the work speaks for itself. Grass gets cut. Walkways are cleared. Properties look better than they did the day before. But occasionally, that same work — even just a simple mow — carries more weight than what’s visible on the surface. At I Want To Mow Your Lawn Inc., we coordinate volunteer-powered lawn care for older adults, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and families facing hardship. The jobs are often modest — overgrown grass, hedges left untouched, or access paths blocked — but for the person on the receiving end, it can mean restored dignity, peace of mind, and a safer outdoor space. This past season, we had the opportunity to organize a regional service event as part of National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, made possible in part by the Kubota Hometown Proud® grant program. With support from Kubota and a group of landscaping volunteers, we were able to beautify several unkempt properties and help out neighbors who needed relief. We’re deeply grateful — and we carry that support with humility and a real sense of responsibility. We’re equally appreciative of others who have quietly contributed behind the scenes — from equipment donations to service providers who’ve stepped up. All the tech in the world helps, but without people, it means nothing. At our core, we believe in the goodness of people and the ripple effect that comes from simply helping where you can. For NJ Turfgrass members, these small moments of impact don’t need to come with a big campaign. A spare mower. A one-day cleanup. A shared lead. The skills and tools you already have — when offered with intention — can quietly restore pride and safety for someone who’s been falling behind. This industry has always been about getting the job done right. That same pride of work can also be used to lift someone up — one lawn at a time.
www.njturfgrass.org
Clippings | Issue 3 • 2025
31