Jacksonville Nonprofit Mows for Heroes Takes Nominations for Its Next Yard Missions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (November 14, 2026) Mows for Heroes Inc., a Jacksonville nonprofit that handles yard work at no charge for people who serve the community, is taking names for its next round of yard missions. The organization is looking for veterans, first responders, and teachers in the Jacksonville area who could use a hand with their outdoor space, and it is asking neighbors, coworkers, and family members to point them out.

In a recent Facebook post, the group said it has “openings for our next hero transformations” and described its work as “lawn and outdoor assistance to those who serve our community every day.” The post asked anyone who knows someone who “deserves a break” to submit a nomination through the organization’s website, tag that person in the comments, or send a direct message.

Who the next missions are for

Mows for Heroes was founded by Jeremy Johnson, an active-duty U.S. Navy sailor with more than 17 years of service. The nonprofit started with veterans in mind, and veterans remain at the center of its work. This call for nominations also highlights two other groups: first responders and teachers.

Both groups keep schedules that leave little room for a Saturday spent behind a mower. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department crews, for example, work in rotations built around long shifts. On its Operations Division page, the department says the division responds to more than 150,000 emergency calls each year and that its teams work around the clock, “rotating through 24-hour shifts.” Police officers, EMTs, and dispatchers also cover nights, weekends, and holidays.

Teachers carry a different kind of load. In the 2024 State of the American Teacher survey from RAND, teachers reported working an average of 53 hours a week, compared with 44 hours for comparable working adults. That gap of about nine hours adds up to more than one extra workday every week. The same survey found that teachers earned about $18,000 less in base pay, roughly $70,000 compared with $88,000.

Teachers report working about nine more hours a week than comparable working adults. Chart: RAND 2024 State of the American Teacher Survey data.

When the work week runs long, the yard tends to be the first thing to slide. In northeast Florida, where grass keeps growing for much of the year, a few missed weekends can turn a routine mow into a full clean-up.

How to nominate someone or ask for help

The organization takes requests two ways. A friend, neighbor, or relative can nominate someone, and Mows for Heroes then quietly contacts that person to ask if they would like help. People who need a hand can also ask for themselves on the Mows for Heroes request page, which reads: “You don’t need to explain why you deserve it.”

Either form takes about two minutes. It asks how the person serves or served, their neighborhood or ZIP code, and what would be most useful: mowing and edging, pressure washing, or seasonal yard clean-up. The organization says it reviews every request based on availability and resources and reaches out as soon as it can.

Veterans, military families, nurses and healthcare workers, seniors, and single parents remain eligible. For now, the organization serves the Jacksonville area. The organization does not post anyone’s name, face, or home without the owner’s permission.

What a mission looks like

Mows for Heroes numbers each job as a mission. As of mid-November, the organization reports two missions complete and two in progress.

• Mission #1: an overgrown fenced backyard and side yard, cut back, mowed, and cleaned up in a day.
• Mission #2: a sloped front lawn taken from knee-high grass to a clean cut, plus a wooded back lot raked clear of leaves, done alongside the veteran-owned business First Coast Lawn Care.
• Mission #3: a waterfront deck and walkway being cleared of pine needles and clutter.
• Mission #4: in progress, with details to come once the owner agrees to share them.

The Mission #1 side yard after volunteers mowed and cleared it. Photo: Mows for Heroes Inc.

The crews are a mix of volunteers and local lawn businesses. Volunteers bring mowers, blowers, and trimmers, lend a truck or trailer, or simply show up to rake and bag. The organization confirms each mission’s details with volunteers before they arrive, and says two hands are plenty. Lawn and outdoor businesses can join as volunteer affiliates by setting aside an open slot for a mission while keeping their own name and branding.

About Mows for Heroes

Mows for Heroes Inc. is a Florida nonprofit corporation and a registered Florida charity (registration CH85966). Its application for federal 501(c)(3) status is pending with the IRS. The organization provides mowing, edging, pressure washing, and seasonal yard clean-up for veterans, military families, first responders, teachers, nurses and healthcare workers, seniors, and single parents in the Jacksonville area. It operates with volunteers and partner businesses and is funded through donations and merchandise sales. Its tagline is “Giving Back. One Yard at a Time.”