Environmental Enhancements of Sterling, Va., landscapes at Loudoun County Homeless Emergency Shelter on Day of Service 2014. Photo: PLANET/flickr.com
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) opened registration for its annual Day of Service, held on Earth Day, April 22.
As PLANET puts it, “Day of Service unites the landscape industry for a day of giving back that demonstrates the passion landscape and lawn care companies have for caring for our nation’s backyards, parks and green spaces, while at the same time educating and serving the public.”
The event, open to all industry professionals, allows companies to organize volunteer projects in their own communities. Since its inception in 2009, more than 12,000 volunteers have completed more than 1,000 projects around the country, which is a donation of time and services worth more than $4 million.
The projects have proven to be impactful not only for those who utilize the space but also for the volunteers themselves.
“Being part of a nationwide effort is exciting,” said Craig den Hartog of Emerald Magic Lawn Care, Holtsville, N.Y. “In today’s world, there is so much hustle and bustle. We are supposed to be the ‘connected generation,’ but we are mostly disconnected. Day of Service brings like-minded individuals together. Our volunteer work is part of a team effort with other PLANET members. Knowing that our efforts will be multiplied nationwide helps motivate our team to do more. It also gives us a sense of pride that lasts year-round.”
This year’s lead event sponsors include CNA Business Insurance and John Deere. Supporting sponsors include HighGrove Partners.
For more on Day of Service, visit planetdayofservice.org, where you can register a project and receive five free event T-shirts. The website also includes a planning guide to help companies select, plan, promote and execute a successful project. In addition, when companies register their project, they are added to the nationwide map so media and the public can search for and read about projects.
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