Burlington group volunteers to mow lawns for people in need
BURLINGTON – It's that time of year again for Jay Barnes. The Burlington man is readying his lawnmower for a busy season ahead.
"I feel great because I see a before, I see an after, and I give my best effort," said Barnes.
He's the founder of the Burlington Lawn Mowers Dream Team, a group of volunteers that helps local residents with their lawn care - for free.
"Not only are we helping Burlington, we're helping parts of Woburn, Wilmington and Billerica," said Barnes, adding, "we help the elderly, veterans, single parents, financially distressed, and we use the term injured."
On Thursday, he was at Kathy's home, a Woburn woman battling cancer.
"Well I kept saying 'Why are you here?' and he said 'Why are you questioning me?' It's a good thing. No, I'm thrilled to have him do it because it's very costly," Kathy said.
"There's no hidden agenda, I'm not running for politics and we're not realtors. We're just here to help the people in need make their yard look as nice as any other yard on this street at no cost," Barnes said.
Barnes and his team are scheduled to provide lawn care services to 70 homes this season, with the goal of coming back to each one for a fresh cut every three weeks. With no shortage of work to do, he says his biggest need is for more volunteers.
"Anybody, if you know how to mow a lawn, or weed whack, or pull weeds or trim branches, join the Burlington Lawn Mowers Dream team. We're on Facebook and we definitely need you," Barnes said.
Last year was the group's first year providing services in Massachusetts. According to Barnes, they were able to provide free yard service 135 times.
This year, the group started their second season on May 16. Weather permitting, they'll continue until the first week of November.
"I wish everyone would do something like this. It would make the world more nice than it is now," Kathy said.
