In the summer of 2020, when the world felt heavy under the weight of a global pandemic, one man in New Jersey found himself at a crossroads.
Brian Schwartz, once a successful digital advertising executive, suddenly faced unemployment. For many, losing a job is a crushing blow, but for Brian, it became the spark for something extraordinary.
Sitting in his backyard after the layoff, he mowed his own lawn — an ordinary act that felt grounding amidst uncertainty. As the hum of the mower rolled across the grass, an idea formed. If this simple chore brought him clarity, perhaps it could also bring relief to others.
There were seniors, veterans, and disabled neighbors struggling with overgrown yards, many too vulnerable to risk going outside. That’s when he decided to offer his services for free.
Within days, Schwartz launched a modest website, I Want to Mow Your Lawn. It was straightforward, heartfelt, and without expectations. He simply wanted to help. What he could not have imagined was how this small gesture would ripple outward into a national movement.
The First Lawns And The First Smiles
One of his first calls came from a woman in Verona, New Jersey. She explained her son had been too busy to maintain her lawn. Brian packed his gear, drove nearly thirty miles, and cut her grass without asking for anything in return. When she offered to pay, he politely declined. He wanted this act to remain pure — an expression of kindness unmeasured by money.
From there, the requests multiplied. A Vietnam veteran needed help trimming his yard. A widow recovering from knee surgery couldn’t manage her garden. Elderly homeowners watched weeds creep across their fences. To each of them, Brian arrived with a mower, clippers, and a smile. And to each, he offered not only a clean yard but also dignity and a reminder that someone cared.
A Mission Takes Root
By the end of 2020, the project had already attracted attention. Neighbors, friends, and strangers inspired by his story began to volunteer. They joined with their own lawnmowers, rakes, and weed whackers. Together they mowed, trimmed, and cleared yards at no cost.
Soon, media outlets picked up the story. The Washington Post, Fox News, and local New Jersey stations reported on the unusual movement growing from a simple act of kindness. By 2022, the nonprofit had expanded into 42 states with more than 300 volunteers.
By 2023, according to Good News Network, the numbers had swelled to over 500 volunteers operating in 46 states, assisting on more than 2,000 lawns.
This was the “fourth point” of transformation — not just a man mowing lawns, but a full-fledged organization powered by a national volunteer force. It was a movement that revealed how one person’s initiative could ignite collective action.
Building An Ecosystem Of Care
Scaling kindness requires more than good intentions. Brian and his growing network needed tools, funding, and organizational structure. Donations arrived through GoFundMe campaigns and nonprofit grants. Corporations such as STIHL, MilwaukeeTool, and Ryobi stepped in, providing equipment and technical support.
The group gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, allowing it to function with greater transparency and accountability. Volunteers were coordinated through the website and mobile tools, matching requests with available helpers.
Sustainability became central: many volunteers adopted battery-powered lawnmowers and promoted eco-friendly landscaping, including native plant gardens and reduced mowing for pollinator support.
The initiative even embraced broader services, like clearing snow in winter or advocating for “No Mow May,” encouraging homeowners to let lawns grow during spring to protect bees. What started as mowing grass grew into an ecosystem of care, blending community service with environmental awareness.
Stories Of Lives Touched
Each lawn carried a story. Lois Reichert, a 73-year-old recovering from surgery, said her weeds had become overwhelming. Brian and volunteers not only mowed but also weeded her yard, restoring both her garden and her peace of mind.
Another resident, Pam Nardella, still healing from knee replacement surgery, recalled how she could barely look at her lawn without worrying. When volunteers arrived, she said, “My lawn has never looked more terrific.”
Vietnam veteran Larry Dbowsky expressed gratitude for volunteers who regularly tended to his yard, easing financial burdens and sparing him the strain of outdoor labor.
These weren’t just chores being completed — they were moments of relief, human connection, and respect.
Personal Challenges Behind The Generosity
Even as the movement grew, Brian faced his own struggles. He and his wife endured financial difficulties, at times falling behind on their mortgage. He balanced volunteer work with searching for new career opportunities, all while raising his son Dylan.
Yet through it all, he spoke of his late father as inspiration. His father had instilled the values of service and community, and the nonprofit became a living tribute to that legacy. The project also left a mark on Dylan, who watched his father model resilience and compassion during uncertain times.
Beyond Lawns: A Vision For The Future
The story of I Want to Mow Your Lawn is no longer just about cutting grass. It’s about reimagining what neighbors mean to each other. It’s about proving that kindness can be scaled, organized, and replicated.
Looking ahead, the nonprofit aims to expand its volunteer base internationally. It hopes to continue building partnerships with eco-friendly brands, to develop programs for sustainable gardening, and to reach more vulnerable populations who could benefit from this type of support.
Brian says the mission will always remain grounded in the simplest of principles: “Every lawn mowed is not just grass cut; it’s relief provided, a burden eased, and a community strengthened.”
The Power Of One Act
Brian’s story reminds us of an ancient truth: one act of kindness can grow into something greater than imagined. From a pandemic layoff to a movement with hundreds of volunteers, I Want to Mow Your Lawn demonstrates the resilience of community spirit.
In neighborhoods where overgrown grass once symbolized neglect or hardship, freshly cut lawns now symbolize hope. And in the hum of a lawnmower, many have found the quiet reassurance that no one is truly alone.
Sources:
Good News Network
Fox 5 NY
WMTW
