Shawnee's Free Lawn Care Program Serves 23 Residents

For two years, Richard Milne spent three full days cutting his grass with a weed eater after a heart attack made traditional mowing impossible. Now a volunteer lawn care company mows his Shawnee, Kansas yard every week at no cost through a program called the Mow Squad.

The program connects qualifying residents with volunteers and businesses who provide completely free lawn care. To qualify, residents must own and occupy a home in Shawnee, be 65 or older or have a disability, and earn $61,250 or less annually.

"I couldn't do it anymore," Milne said. Now he gets weekly visits from Green Lawn, a local company that joined the program after an employee suggested they give back to the community.

President Craig Hawkins said the decision was easy. "The community does so much to provide for us and help our business grow. It's just something we can do that helps us return the favor," he said.

The Mow Squad launched in 2017 as part of Shawnee's Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. It matches residents with volunteers ahead of each season so everyone knows help is coming.

Elizabeth Griffith, Shawnee's volunteer coordinator, said the program started because of real need. "Sometimes they don't have another option," she said.

The Ripple Effect

The program now serves 23 residents with four businesses, two churches, and nine individual volunteers. One person mows five yards weekly, while another handles two yards and serves as backup for a homeowner who mows until Kansas heat becomes too intense.

Since April, volunteers have logged 264.75 hours of mowing service. NeuroRehab KC even incorporated volunteer lawn care into rehabilitation treatment for one client.

The broader Neighbors Helping Neighbors program has handled 45 additional requests this year, with 28 volunteers contributing more than 413 hours. A Snow Squad operates during winter months for residents who need help with snow removal.

Non-residents can volunteer too. Anyone interested can sign up by contacting Griffith at egriffith@cityofshawnee.org.

For Milne, the help means everything: "I'm so grateful."