BrightView Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In a show of solidarity, the company's 19,000 team members sport pink hats for a good cause
BrightView team members across the country came together again this year to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
At BrightView, October is synonymous with pink.
BrightView team members across the country came together again this year to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and the show of unity was powerful.
From branches across the country to offices, our teams proudly wore pink BrightView hats as a tribute to those affected by breast cancer. In partnership with the GROW (Growth in Relationships + Opportunities for Women) Women’s Employee Resource Group, this initiative sparked meaningful conversations about early detection, treatment, and the strength of those battling the disease.
The response was overwhelming. Across our 19,000-strong workforce, team members embraced the pink hats not just as a symbol, but as a statement that BrightView stands with survivors, honors those we’ve lost, and supports ongoing research in the fight for a cure.
These small but visible gestures prompted powerful discussions in break rooms, in meetings, and out in the field, reinforcing that our commitment to the community goes far beyond our daily work.
To deepen our impact, BrightView also made a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, helping advance critical research and support services for those facing breast cancer.
Click here to see inspiring photos from teams across the country participating in this meaningful effort. The passion and purpose on display are a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together for a cause greater than ourselves.
Rooted in Remembrance: BrightView Builds Memorial Gardens for Two Communities in Mourning
BrightView partnered with the Pennsbury School District to renovate a park and install a new garden and bench for a local middle school student killed in domestic violence.
In moments of unimaginable loss, communities can often find strength by coming together and leaning on each other, honoring those gone too soon, and creating spaces for remembrance. Across two towns hundreds of miles apart, that’s exactly what unfolded as school communities and BrightView teams joined hands to build memorial gardens that offer peace, healing, and hope.
This spring, the Levittown community in Pennsylvania honored the memory of three lives taken far too soon. In March 2024, three were killed, including a teenager, in a devastating act of domestic violence. The tragedy shocked the town, including the local school district, where one of the children attended middle school.
What began as an effort to clean up an overgrown footbridge evolved into a renovation that included a garden space and a memorial bench honoring the victims. Spearheaded by Manor Elementary School and supported by the Pennsbury School District and community leaders, the project quickly gained momentum with help from BrightView, the district’s landscape partner.
“We sourced and provided the plant material and soil for the raised garden bed,” said Andrew Jones, BrightView’s Northeast Regional Sales Leader. “The team also took time out of their day to work with the students during the cleanup and installation. We had them join our stretch-and-flex and taught them how to identify the various plant materials. The kids are the ones who did the plantings, but we supervised the entire process.”
Associate Branch Manager Chris Clarke, along with Crew Leaders Ernesto Alvarado and Hector Colon, from BrightView’s Central Jersey branch, played a key role in bringing the vision to life.
“This wasn’t just a landscaping project, but a way for us to stand beside the school and help the kids channel their emotions into something lasting and beautiful,” Clarke said. “It’s incredibly meaningful to be able to partner with a district that cares so deeply and to give back in a way that helps the healing process begin. We were honored to be a part of it.”
BrightView stepped in to install Hana's Garden in just two days in honor of four late Oxford High School students.
More than 600 miles away, in Oxford, Mich., another community continues its journey of remembrance and recovery.
There, a new memorial garden now grows in Seymour Lake Park, an oasis of calm and peace dedicated to four Oxford High School students, all victims of a school shooting in November 2021.
Known as Hana’s Garden, the space was envisioned by one of the students’ father and took more than two years of planning, design, and perseverance. At one point, when he faced challenges securing donations and labor, BrightView stepped in.
“We started out consulting and working with Steve and the architect on the plant list and finding suppliers,” said Jon Wurges, Account Manager at BrightView’s Pontiac North branch. “I was able to get our local supplier involved, as well as get the plant count down and within Steve’s budget.”
A week before installation, another landscape company fell through on labor and equipment, but BrightView quickly mobilized, pulling together staff and volunteers from across the branch. Led by Wurges, Samir Namuk (Branch Manager), Sam Ventimiglia (Vice President & General Manager), Paul Carrick (Enhancement Manager), and Jose Louis Nunez (Enhancement Crew Leader), the installation was completed in just two days.
The effort was deeply personal for many involved. Several BrightView team members had children at the school including Wurges, Nunez, and Crew Leader Todd Delano.
“We are a small community where everyone knows each other, and the shooting rocked all of us,” Wurges said. “I will never forget that day.”
BrightView Honored with Community Award in South Florida
BrightView’s longstanding commitment to supporting the communities of Miami and Homestead was recently recognized by being named the 2025 recipient of the Corporate Impact Award by the Chapman Partnership.
BrightView’s longstanding commitment to supporting the communities of Miami and Homestead was recently recognized by being named the 2025 recipient of the Corporate Impact Award by Chapman Partnership.
Chapman Partnership operates two homeless shelters, one in Miami and one in Homestead, Fla., and provides 800 beds every night for those who are experiencing homelessness. However, Chapman Partnership is more than just providing shelter, but also provides access to dental and psychiatric care, Head Start for children up to age 5 and afterschool and summer programs for school-age kids, and job training and placement for adults.
BrightView has provided professional landscaping services for Chapman Partnership’s two locations for years, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and vibrant outdoor space for the thousands of people who have walked through Chapman Partnership’s doors, but the partnership has gone far beyond just landscaping.
With Chapman Partnership providing job placement, BrightView has become one of the companies that has welcomed new team members from the shelter, providing opportunities for these individuals who are working to build stability in their lives.
Along with this, every December, BrightView teams in South Florida organize a holiday gift drive to ensure that every child living in both of Chapman Partnership’s centers—infants through teenagers—receives a wrapped present. For more than two decades, team members have come together to purchase, wrap, and deliver these gifts for roughly 150 to 200 children every year.
“It’s truly a team effort,” Gonzalez said. “The passion our branches have for the people in need in their communities is inspiring. Everyone steps up, from buying gifts to wrapping presents, because we care about these kids and their families. We want them to know they’re seen, valued, and supported.”
That shared commitment to making a lasting impact has created a powerful and enduring partnership between BrightView and Chapman Partnership—one built on compassion and a mutual desire to support the community.
“We are incredibly grateful for this meaningful partnership and the generosity BrightView shows year after year,” said Candice Myles, Chapman Partnership’s Community Relations Manager. “Their continued support brings joy, comfort, and a sense of normalcy to the children and families we serve. It means so much to know that our community can count on caring partners like BrightView who never forget the importance of giving back.”
Each year, Chapman Partnership honors a company that has gone above and beyond in making a difference for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade County with the Corporate Impact Award.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by Chapman Partnership, but the real reward has always been knowing that we’re making a difference for these families, especially the children during the holidays,” Gonzalez said. “This award isn’t just about what we’ve done, but about what we’ll keep doing. We’re committed to showing up, supporting Chapman Partnership, and making a positive impact year after year.”
Willie Mays Park Restored by BrightView to Honor a Legend’s Legacy
A full transformation of the field took place over a three-week period from May to June. Astroturf was installed in the infield to ensure durability and reduce maintenance demands and portions of the outfield were stripped and resodded and the fencing painted.
Almost exactly one year after the passing of baseball legend Willie Mays, the field that bears his name in Fairfield, Ala., has reopened with a fresh look and renewed purpose. The revitalized field, featuring a new playing surface built by BrightView, was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 19 as part of the East-West Classic, Major League Baseball’s tribute to the Negro Leagues All-Star Games held from 1933 to 1962, at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
Originally constructed following World War II, the field was renamed in the 1970s to honor Mays, a native of Fairfield. In the decades since, however, the park deteriorated and fell into disrepair. The diamond was overrun with clumps of grass, the dugouts were crumbling, and the outfield was covered in weeds.
“Willie Mays was one of the game’s greatest ambassadors and we were honored to help breathe new life into the field that carries his name,” said Murray Cook, President of BrightView Sports Turf. “Restoring this field meant more than just improving the surface—it was about restoring pride to the community and giving children a place to play again.”
A full transformation of the field took place over a three-week period from May to June. Astroturf was installed in the infield to ensure durability and reduce maintenance demands, especially during Alabama’s hot summers. Portions of the outfield were stripped and resodded and the fencing painted, helping to give the ballpark a fresh look.
The bleachers, dugouts, and sidewalks were pressure-washed and cleaned, and the dugout received a fresh coat of paint, rounding out the facelift.
“This was a total group effort from my BrightView team, MLB, A.G. Gaston, the city of Fairfield, Astroturf, and lots of local services in Alabama,” Cook said. “Our crew put in long hours to make sure the field would be something the community could be proud of, and a place where future generations can play and dream, just like Willie Mays did.”
The June 19 ribbon cutting included local leaders and politicians, May’s son Michael Mays, and many former MLB players who were participating in the East-West Classic at nearby Rickwood Field (which was renovated last year by BrightView).
“When we pitched the idea last year to see if an area youth field could be renovated as part of the Rickwood Game, we were so excited when Major League Baseball suggested Willie Mays Park as a potential site,” Cook said. “This field honors a legend while giving young players a first-class place to grow their love for the game. It has all been incredibly meaningful for our team.”
BrightView Fund for Social Justice Awards Love VC with $2,500 Grant
Love VC is the latest recipient of a grant from the BrightView Fund for Social Justice.
Love VC, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the local Ventura County (Calif.) community to love each other through connecting, giving, and serving, is the latest recipient of a $2,500 grant from the BrightView Fund for Social Justice.
The Fund was established by BrightView to support organizations and initiatives that promote equality and inclusion in the local communities where BrightView team members work, live, and play.
Rene Rivera, BrightView VPGM, and Jasmine Orozco, BrightView Market Recruiter, presented the check to Love VC’s Sarah Abrams and Greg Abrams.
“Love VC is excited to be able to partner with BrightView as we work to beautify, enhance, and better our local community. Through their generosity, we will be able to make a great impact on our city-wide day of serving, Love Ventura, coming this October,” said Sarah Abrams, Co-Founder, Love VC.
BrightView Team Member Helps Renovate Golf Course in Brazil
BrightView's Tim O'Brien recently traveled to Brazil to volunteer his golf course maintenance to a project down there. (Photo courtesy of Bill Doyle and the "Telegram & Gazette")
Tim O’Brien, BrightView’s Golf Maintenance superintendent at Green Hills Golf Course, recently extended his passion for golf beyond the borders of his home and job location in Worcester, Mass., by lending his expertise to a project in Brazil.
As superintendent, O’Brien is no stranger to the intricacies of golf course management, and his dedication to excellence is evident in every aspect of his work, so when he was presented with an opportunity to contribute to the renovation of a golf course in Brazil, he eagerly accepted the challenge and chance to make a meaningful difference on an international level. He not only was able to share his expertise, but also cultivated a sense of camaraderie and goodwill across continents.
His involvement in the project underscores BrightView’s commitment to its corporate responsibilities, including community engagement. O’Brien’s participation in this endeavor exemplifies these values, demonstrating how individual team members within BrightView actively seek out opportunities to give back and make a difference in the communities where we work, live, and play, and even abroad.
BrightView’s Holiday Giving
Landscapes of joy and community care
The Rocky Mountain team collected donations as part of the Denver BOMA Annual Toy and Gift Drive.
With the holiday season here, BrightView, the industry leader in commercial landscaping and snow removal services, is not only transforming outdoor spaces, but also touching the lives of those in our communities. In a heartwarming display of social responsibility, BrightView is ushering in festive cheer by participating in toy drives, making donations to local organizations, engaging in community service initiatives, and more.
Some of the events include:
Blue Bell Headquarters collected winter clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, socks, shoes, and more for the local children in partnership with Cradles to Crayons.
The Montgomery Branch sponsored a family and donated and wrapped gifts for them.
In Denver, a BOMA Community Affairs Committee Workday was held at The Urban Farm. Forty volunteers, including some BrightView team members, came out to paint the main building and vegetable storage shed, weed the landscaping, and revamped the outdoor tent area with wood and mulch.
Seasonal Division leadership joined the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia to assemble bicycles for children as part of the Jaws Bike Drive.
The Hunt Valley, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, and Delaware branches prepared meals, organized donations, and decorated the Franciscan Center of Baltimore.
The Richmond, Chesterville, and Southern Virginia Tree branches joined forces for a volunteer community event at St. Joseph’s Villa to refresh the landscape to restore joy and safety for children with special needs and their families.
Managers in the South Florida Region received and fulfilled wish lists from roughly 100 children at the Chapman Partnership homeless shelter.
The Human Resources team helped with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to prep meal boxes for families and the Columbus West Branch also helped at another location to prep boxes and hand them out to the community.
The Southwest team visited St. Mary’s Food Bank and sort and distribute donations of food, baby items, and household supplies for the community.
The Eastern Shore Branch partnered with Haven Ministries food pantry
The Rocky Mountain team collected donations as part of the Denver BOMA Annual Toy and Gift Drive.
The Washington DC and Maryland Tree branches joined together to revitalize lawns for individuals suffering with traumatic brain injuries.
BrightView’s holiday initiatives are more than just charitable acts, but are a testament to the company’s commitment to spreading the message of unity and hope. Its team members are using their platform to inspire others to join in the spirit of giving, emphasizing that small acts of kindness can collectively have a significant impact.
BrightView Partners with H-E-B to Plant Trees Throughout Texas
Trees for Texans to help reduce extreme heat in urban areas
BrightView has partnered with H-E-B in its Trees for Texans program that aims to plant hundreds of trees across the state to grow urban canopies. (Photo courtesy of H-E-B)
With more buildings being constructed in cities, the urban canopy is rapidly decreasing. To help combat this, and reduce what is called the heat-island effect, Texas supermarket chain H-E-B launched Trees for Texans.
As a client of BrightView, H-E-B reached out to the team to help with the year-long program which aims to plant hundreds of native trees at select urban school campuses in the state, along with additional nonprofit grant recipients.
Justin Jordan, BrightView Tree Care Services Branch Manager, and Shane Rasco, Key Account Manager, consulted with H-E-B for the project, and coordinated his branch’s efforts at the Forbes Middle School project in Georgetown, Texas. BrightView’s Austin Branch, led by Bill Davis, was also involved by organizing the delivering the trees to the location.
“My team arranged the unloading of 18 trees, ranging from 20- to 45-gallon containers, and then we helped plan the placements of those trees and pre-dig the holes before the volunteer event,” he said. “We also volunteered to be onsite during the event to help answer any questions and educate the volunteers on proper tree planting techniques."
The native trees planted at the school included Mexican white oaks, cedar elms, Mexican sycamores, evergreen sumacs, and Montezuma cypresses.
The event, celebrated on Texas’ Arbor Day on Nov. 3, had a few dozen volunteers in attendance, including some familiar faces of the school.
“There was a large group of middle school students that came out, and if even one of those students goes home and talks about this with their families, or even goes and plants a tree at home, then this event couldn’t be more of a success,” Jordan said.
As the nation’s largest commercial landscaping company, BrightView has embraced its role as good stewards of the planet and has prioritized its Environmental, Social, and Governance commitment.
BrightView has also been involved with additional environmental projects, such as replanting trees lost to Hurricane Ian in Florida.
Five more planting projects through Trees for Texans are planned from now through December, including a school in Houston and one in Austin.
“It was nice to see the turnout for the actual planting event and see the excitement to plant trees,” Jordan said. “It will be fulfilling to drive by this site in the future knowing that we planted these trees and have helped to make a difference in our communities.”
Honoring a Hero: BrightView Partners in Memorial for Fallen Officer
A new memorial was recently dedicated to fallen officer Brian Haney.
In February, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department lost a member of its force when six-year veteran Deputy Brian Haney was killed in a traffic collision. In remembrance of him and his service to the city of San Juan Capistrano, a memorial was constructed with BrightView’s help.
Since BrightView already services San Juan Capistrano, Heidi Ivanoff, the city’s Community Services Manager, approached the team about partnering together for the project, which they quickly agreed to.
“Fernando Lopez, our Account Manager for the city, did the landscape rendering for the project,” said Leon Vitort, BrightView’s Greater OC Branch Manager. “We presented the plans and Heidi and the staff loved and approved them for us to move forward with.”
As part of the donation to the project, BrightView did the demolition to the existing space. They then installed an upgrade to the irrigation system and the plant materials.
The project was completed in August and a memorial dedication was held in late September.
“Heidi and the city were very pleased with the outcome of the project,” Vitort said. “We are so honored and proud to have been a part of it and the team feels great to have been able to honor a fallen office in this way.”
BrightView Fund for Social Justice Presents Refuge for Women with $2,500 Grant
Refuge for Women is the latest recipient of a grant from BrightView's Fund for Social Justice.
BrightView is pleased to recognize Refuge for Women, a nonprofit organization providing specialized long-term and emergency housing for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation, as the recipient of a $2,500 grant from the BrightView Fund for Social Justice.
The Fund was established to support organizations and initiatives that promote equality and inclusion in the local communities where BrightView team members live, work, and play.
Tricia Justice, BrightView Vice President of Human Resources, presented the grant to Refuge for Women at a luncheon in Las Vegas.
“We, at Refuge for Women, are so incredibly grateful for the gift. Gifts such as this one allow us to continue serving women who have been sexually exploited and sex trafficked,” said Rosie Harris, Executive Director, Refuge for Women. “It is because of organizations like BrightView Landscapes that we are able to help women experience freedom, rest, restoration, and a restart. We appreciate you, greatly.”