GreenCare for Troops Celebrates 10 Years Assisting Military Families In Need

National GreenCare for Troops Awareness Week Scheduled for May 15-21, 2016

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May 12, 2016, 02:00 ET

CLEVELAND, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To raise awareness of the ongoing need for basic lawn care and landscape services for families of deployed military personnel and veterans with service-related disabilities, Project EverGreen recognizes May 15-21, 2016 as National GreenCare for Troops Awareness Week.

The program, which celebrates its 10^th year in 2016, has seen more than 10,000 military families and veterans, and more than 5,000 green industry professionals register to receive or provide these much needed volunteer services since the program was launched in 2006. The program is supported by The Toro Company.

"These valuable services provide military families and wounded and disabled veterans with peace of mind and freedom to heal," says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. "A managed lawn and yard provides vital space for military personnel and veterans to recover and re-connect with their families. Our dedicated volunteers are a wonderful sense of support to our military families and veterans in their critical time of need."

The program has provided basic lawn and landscape services and so much more including back yards for service dogs to run in, green gardens for disabled veterans to reflect in and countless hours of joy for families to bond.

Why are natural green spaces important to military families and veterans? Numerous studies have shown that access to well-maintained yards and parks provide families and children with health, safety and emotional benefits. In addition to a safe place to play, exercise and connect with their community, green spaces promote healthier lifestyles and comfort.

For more information on how to volunteer or sign up for Project EverGreen's GreenCare for Troops, call 888.611.2955 or visit www.ProjectEverGreen.org.

GreenCare for Troops Awareness Week
Facts & Figures

1 - White House Joining Forces Initiative Award
10 – The numbers of years GreenCare for Troops has been helping families of deployed military personnel
50 – States in which there are registered military families and volunteer contractors
2006 – The year GreenCare for Troops was launched
5,000 – Number of volunteer contractors that have registered to provide services through GreenCare for Troops
10,000 – Number of military families that have registered for GreenCare for Troops since program's inception
150,500 – Estimated number of U.S. military personnel deployed overseas
3.6 Million – Number of veterans with a service-related disability needing assistance with day-to-day household and lifestyle assistance services
$5 million – Estimated value of in-kind services provided to military families and veterans through GCFT since the program's inception