At WMAR-TV our signature issue is being a Voice for Veterans. This week photographer Paul Jaffey and I were able to highlight a veteran finding a purpose after retiring from the Navy. Springer Blankenship trims overgrown lawns for people who can't manage it themselves.
On his off days, you'll find Navy veteran Springer Blankenship in places like this overgrown lawns in need of trimming. Every lawn that I've started with has definitely been overgrown or unkept or mismanaged. He volunteers with I Want to Mow Your Lawn, a nonprofit whose mission statement starts with preserving the dignity of the people they serve. This would be my second wheelchair bound person and then a couple of older people that are in their. Movies and stuff that are just not able to get out there and take care of their lawn anymore and on a fixed or limited income and they just can't afford to, you know, maintain that lawn and they they have a beautiful house and they. Feel a little bit of shame, you know, they've told me when they can't take care of that long like they used to. So while most people find it crazy to spend a midweek off day during a heat wave doing yard work for free, Springer solid as the perfect opportunity to get a bigger job done. It gives them a purpose, a task to complete and someone to help things tough to find when he left the Navy, joining the military in 19 and serving 20 years. You know I've been in longer than I had not been in the Navy so. Doing lawn care and stuff like this helps me just be able to clear my mind and just be able to put my headphones on and go to work while the service is mowing lawns. Sometimes lending an ear is the most helpful part. Sometimes it feels like some of these people just want somebody to talk to more than they want their land taken care of. And some of them, they'll sit there and talk to me forever. Miss Peggy, one of the people I do it for, she always brings me out snacks and water and stuff and I, I swear I spend more time talking to her than I do mowing her lawn, giving back one lawn at a time. For anyone interested in volunteering or receiving lawn care help, we have a link in this story on our website. Giving a Voice to Veterans. Jeff Morgan, WR2 News.
Welcome Cyera Williams to the WMAR-2 News team. Her "Getting 2 Know You" video is coming soon (that's the tease) but check out her bio! Welcome to Baltimore!
We're hiring! Join our team as an MMJ/Reporter here in Baltimore. This is a great news market and a great place to call home. We're looking for someone who loves to write, loves enterprise storytelling, and breaking news. Join the team! Apply to learn about WMAR and all the good happening in Baltimore. #hiring#journalism#baltimorehttps://lnkd.in/eezUMvwX
If you've been in Baltimore you likely know Kristy Breslin-Klevinsky but did you know she's now bringing you traffic at WMAR? Let's "Get to Know" her all over again!
Happy Friday! Welcome Kara Burnett to the WMAR-2 News team. Kara started Monday and is learning her way around #Baltimore before she joins Good Morning Maryland in January.