Yanks take on a different kind of yard work in HOPE Week outing

NEW YORK -- Thursday marked the fourth day of HOPE Week, and members of the Yankees celebrated Brian Schwartz and his national nonprofit, I Want To Mow Your Lawn, which provides older adults, veterans and neighbors facing physical or financial hardship with free, temporary lawn-care relief provided by generous volunteers.

The acts of generosity originated during the COVID-19 pandemic and became a national movement that continues to this day.

“We were doing what we could to provide some relief at a difficult time. One thing led to another with people starting to reach out -- homeowners, volunteers,” Schwartz remembers. “Then, I received a letter in the mail from a random stranger who came across this little upstart nonprofit.

“She wrote me a letter that said, ‘I came across your story about mowing lawns. It gave me some hope and inspiration.’ She capped it off by saying, ‘You are the reason that somebody believes in these people. You are that reason, sir.’ That changed me. I needed to hear that, too. Reflecting back, helping others helped me.”

The Bronx Bombers honored Schwartz in a couple of ways. First, they cleaned the backyard belonging to Ho Kim. There was reliever Fernando Cruz, with help from his daughter, Lara, mowing the lawn. General manager Brian Cashman was seen cutting some tree limbs, while hitting coach James Rowson didn’t have any problems raking the leaves. Third-base coach Luis Rojas brought his son, Luis Jr., to teach him the importance of helping others.

“I always believe that’s what we are here for. Love your neighbor,” Rojas said. “Looking at the backyard compared to how it was, it looks a lot better, beautiful.”

Cruz said it was a blessing to give back to people that need help the most.

“This is what it is all about,” Cruz said. “Baseball is a platform, and it helps us accomplish something [like this off the field]. For me, this is more important because I think [the deeds] will stay with us forever.”

After all the work was done, the Yankees presented Schwartz and his organization with a check worth $20,000.

“It’s just truly unbelievable,” he said. “I’m honored and humbled. I’m still trying to process it. Doing this six years ago was a way to stay busy. I know volunteering is good for the mind, body and soul. Never did I think the Yankees would join me in an event in six years. Hopefully, [the work we do] will inspire more people.”

Ho’s daughter, Natasha Kim, couldn’t believe the Yankees were in her mother’s backyard. Schwartz and his volunteers have cleaned Ho’s yard in the past. Schwartz asked Ho if they could use her backyard for the event. After she agreed, Schwartz told her not to do any work in the yard for two weeks.

“This is crazy. It’s a small house, but a huge yard. … For even one person to help is plenty, but the Yankees are at the house. Go Yankees tonight,” Natasha Kim said.