(NewsUSA) – Frequent moves and unexpected deployments are just a few of the stresses impacting the families of the nearly 1.5 million active-duty men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces. Along with the stress that comes with family separation, spouses of deployed troops left to manage the household alone face the added stress of tackling these daily chores with little support.

Volunteers can help ease their burden by joining Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops (SCFT) at www.projectevergreen.com/scft to provide free snow removal services to active-duty members of the armed forces. The national program is underwritten by THE BOSS Snowplow. Now in its third year, SCFT has 1,200 volunteers signed up to help more than 1,500 military families. Many volunteers are snow removal and landscape contracting professionals.

“It takes a very special person to give of their time and resources to back up our troops and their families. We want to thank BOSS and our many volunteers who go the extra mile to make sure they’re taken care of,” said Cindy Code, Project EverGreen executive director. “We know there are many opportunities to help our military families, and we’re pleased to see the positive impact that SCFT is having on those who already sacrifice so much.”

Volunteers who want to help can give to SCFT in these ways:

* Assisting one or two military families locally with snow and ice removal in their communities;

* Enlisting others to join the cause and encouraging military families to register for the program;

* Donating money or gas cards to offset snow removal and maintenance costs; and

* Lending snow removal equipment to volunteers or groups.

According to a 2012 Blue Star Families’ Military Lifestyle Survey, 95 percent reported feeling that most Americans “do not truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices made by service members and their families.”

Service programs like SCFT are helping to bridge the gap in understanding between civilians and military families while providing critical community support. Military families with deployed loved ones are invited to participate in SCFT by completing an online registration form with Project EverGreen. Project EverGreen will match families with local volunteers available in the area.

Project EverGreen is a national non-profit promoting the positive effects of well-maintained green spaces. To learn more, visit Project EverGreen at www.projectevergreen.com. Or, become a volunteer at projectevergreen.com/scft/become-a-snowcare-volunteer