In Glen Burnie, Maryland, Springer Blankenship spends most of his off days traipsing through overgrown lawns.
The Navy veteran volunteers with I Want To Mow Your Lawn, a nonprofit that provides free lawn care to people who can’t do it themselves.
“Every lawn that I've started with has definitely been overgrown or unkept or mismanaged,” Blankenship told WMAR 2 News Baltimore. “[One neighbor] had been reported to the county, and the county was gonna fine her and have somebody come out here and take care of this for her. She couldn't afford that, so she contacted us, and I came out here to knock this out.”
This past summer, Blankenship fielded more than 50 job requests at one time. That’s when two more volunteers, Kristen and Chris, stepped in to help.
“I love the opportunity to give back and really support people,” Kristen said. “I feel like that's what community is supposed to be.”
For Blankenship, it’s more than an act of service. It’s a chance to check in on those who need a little human connection.
“Sometimes it feels like some of these people just want somebody to talk to more than they want their lawn taken care of, and some of them will just sit there and talk to me forever,” he said.
“Mrs. Peggy, one of the people I do it for, she always brings me out snacks and water and stuff, and I swear I spend more time talking to her than I do mowing her lawn.”
A version of this article originally appeared in the 2026 Home Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
Header image via Magic K
