Bradford stepbrothers give back through new lawncare biz

Bradford stepbrothers Andrew Palmer and Gabriel Blackburn Jr. recently launched their new lawn maintenance business., Jr. Outside Services, with part of their proceeds going to charity. 

As young entrepreneurs, Palmer and Blackburn Jr. decided to start their own business that would keep them outside and active in the community. But they also wanted to do something to honour their uncles, who both passed away from cancer. 

"After seeing my uncles battling cancer, one age 29 and the other age 48, and the costs involved for parking, coffee, food, etc., for appointments, that’s what made us think of doing something to give back to other patients,” said Blackburn Jr. “This way, we can learn about starting a business, saving money and giving back at the same time."

The pair be giving 10 per cent of their money earned to local charity, GetRecD. 

GetRecD is a not-for-profit organization that hosts recreational and special events to get the community active while raising funds to directly support cancer patients. To date, GetRecD has raised over $600,000, donating numerous laptops and DVD players to cancer centres throughout Canada.  They have donated over 120 cancer battle baskets to patients and their families and have hosted 12 cancer patient lifetime events, which include excursions like helicopter rides, NHL games, and limo rides. 

GetRecD has no paid employees and no overhead costs, so all funds go directly to cancer patients in the form of gift cards, gas cards, parking costs, and groceries.

For $20 per hour—the boys will bring their own tools and garden bags to do a spring cleanup—they’ll offer this until the end of May.

The spring cleanup includes tidying gardens, breaking up dead branches from trees and shrubs, raking the lawn and piling yard waste at the end of the driveway for pickup.

In the summer, they will offer weekly lawn cutting and garden maintenance for the same price. 

To book a spring clean up or summer lawn maintenance, please email [email protected].

To learn more about GetRecD or to make a donation, visit their website here. All donations will go directly to a patient and family in need, GetRecD also accepts donations from organizations who may want to help with filling their battle baskets.