Our Story
One tree started as something personal.
GroundCrew did not begin as a campaign strategy. It began with grief, family, remembrance, and a simple decision to put something living in the ground.
The beginning
A tree for Dawne.
When Dawne passed, Joey and the boys planted a tree in remembrance. It was a family act: something tangible to do, something living to care for, and something that could remain connected to her story without pretending loss had disappeared.
That tree did not erase grief. It changed the form of one response to it. Planting created a place for memory and responsibility to exist together.
What changed
The personal act pointed outward.
The idea became larger when the question changed from “What did this tree mean to us?” to “What could planting mean for other people and places?”
A living way to honor someone.
Memorial planting remained part of the mission because meaning can create a lasting reason to return and care.
A practical act people can do together.
Planting can bring families, neighbors, schools, businesses, and local groups around a visible shared place.
A responsibility that continues.
The tree makes the idea concrete: choose well, plant carefully, return, notice, water, protect, and stay involved.
GroundCrew today
Do your part. Plant a tree.
The mission is deliberately actionable. GroundCrew is about helping people move from good intentions to a real place, a real tree, and a real plan for care.
- Plant at home with better guidance.
- Create a living memorial.
- Build local community projects.
- Help organizations participate credibly.
- Teach the decisions behind good planting.
- Keep attention on what happens afterward.
The invitation is smaller and more demanding at the same time: choose one meaningful place, put the right tree in the ground, and accept responsibility for helping it live.
What began as remembrance
Carry the idea into another place.
Plant for someone. Plant for shade. Plant with neighbors. Plant because a future place is worth caring for now.