Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)

Grass Buddies Program

Yard Maintenance Assistance in Calmar

The Town of Calmar, through Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), offers the Grass Buddies Program — a volunteer-based initiative that connects community helpers with residents who cannot manage lawn mowing, trimming, or light yard work.

This program keeps our community looking its best while supporting neighbours who need a helping hand. Grass Buddies also provide a way for residents to stay active, meet new people, and make a positive difference in Calmar.


Volunteers Needed: Love helping out and spending time outdoors? Join FCSS’s Grass Buddy Crew! Help keep our community looking sharp by lending a hand to neighbors who could use help keeping their yards neat and tidy.

Have questions and want to sign up? Contact FCSS Coordinator Mikayla MLeibel@calmar.ca  |  780.985.3604 233

Eligibility

The Grass Buddies Program is designed to support Calmar residents who are unable to maintain their own yard and have no other assistance available. By focusing on those most in need, the program ensures volunteer support reaches residents who truly rely on community help.

To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

  • Be a Calmar resident. The program is available to residents living within town limits only.
  • Have a physical, medical, or age-related limitation that makes lawn mowing, trimming, or light yard work difficult or unsafe — including seniors and individuals with disabilities who are unable to cut their grass due to age, health, or a physical condition.
  • Have no one else in the household who is able to assist with yard maintenance.
  • Use the program for their primary residence only. This program is not a replacement for regularly hired lawn services, and is not intended for vacation properties or seasonal upkeep.
  • Understand that service is volunteer-based and depends on availability. This program does not guarantee service on a specific day or within a set number of days.
  • Agree to program terms, including providing consent for volunteers to access the front yard and releasing the Town of Calmar and FCSS from liability.

How the Program Works

The Grass Buddies Program runs during the warmer months when lawn care is needed. The process is simple:

Application Submission
Residents who require help fill out an application form either online or at the FCSS office. Applications can be submitted at any point in the season.

Volunteer Support
Grass Buddies — community volunteers of all ages — assist with basic lawn mowing, trimming, and light yard work. Tasks are limited to what can be done safely with standard household tools.

Scheduling
Volunteers work as their time allows. There is no fixed schedule, and service depends entirely on volunteer availability. Grass Buddies are not a replacement for regular lawn care services but a neighbourly way to help.

Seasonal Program
The program typically operates from late spring through early fall, ending when lawn maintenance is no longer required.