Volunteers to plow snowy driveways for military families

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

As part of SnowCare for Troops, a national movement spurred by Project EverGreen with The BOSS Snowplow brand, military families in New York will be given free snow removal by volunteers.

The effort is a chance for local community members to give back to families with a family member serving overseas.

Project EverGreen Executive Director Den Gardner said that this will reduce stress and ease the burden shouldered by those left behind. Program organizers are especially excited about this movement in the wake of last year’s heavy snowfalls.

Joy Westenberg of Project Evergreen said her organization was thrilled about its partnership with The BOSS Snowplow and was equally pleased with the dedication of the volunteers.

So far in New York there have been 27 volunteers.

Wayne Samascott of Ballston Spa has volunteered for the program and is scheduled to serve six families in a 10-mile radius.

The service he is providing is worth about $35 to $50 for every plowing, with area houses needing four months of plowing services. Samascott estimates this program is worth $800 a year to a family in New York.

“I thought it would be a great thing to do,” he said. He read about the program in a trade magazine.

He added that it made sense to give back to families who have loved ones serving overseas and risking their lives in combat. It will be nice for people actively serving to know that their families are being taken care of.

The marketing manager for The BOSS Snowplow, Mark Klossner, said his company was proud to support America’s military families. “Anyone can get involved in this program, and more help is needed as we prepare for this winter’s first snowfalls.”

Other opportunities exist to help military families, including the loaning of snow removal equipment to volunteers and donations to offset snow removal costs.

According to Gardner, this winter program is a national extension of his organization GreenCare movement, where military families receive free lawn and landscaping. “Many of our volunteers in SnowCare for Troops also participate in GreenCare for Troops.”

Samascott credited people in the state for doing a good job supporting local military families, but acknowledged there is always more that can be done.

Hundred of volunteers in areas threatened by snow have signed up for the SnowCare program, but organizers are still stressing the need for additional support.

To learn more about Project EverGreen and SnowCare for the Troops, people are encouraged to visit http://projectevergreen.com/ or call 1-888-611-2956.