Not all gifts come in packages with bows.
A gift to Veteran Erica Kennedy came with a knock on the door, friends and family, and David Jones, the owner of Kingdom Lawn Care and Lighting, stating that she had been nominated for Christmas Decor’s Decorated Family Program.
“She was actually nominated by four different people,” Jones said.
“We go to church with Erica, her husband Andrew and their kids. We’ve known him for years. It was very special.”
The fact that Kennedy was nominated four times is unusual, Jones said. In the 15 years Kingdom Lawn Care has been in the Christmas light business, they have decorated four houses for Veterans. Jones said that it’s not because the crew does not want to do it annually, but because there are often a lack of nominations in the Champaign area.
“We would love to do two or three a year if timing and everything worked out,” he said.
Christmas Decor has boosted the spirits of hundreds of military families through the Decorated Family Program for almost two decades.
Christmas Decor Corporate, located in Lubbock, Texas began the Decorated Family Program in 2003 after a franchisee attended a holiday dinner party, and began to consider all of the men and women overseas who would not be able to celebrate with those they love. The program was created to thank our country’s soldiers for their dedication and support by decorating their family’s homes.
Jones said when he arrived at Kennedy’s door, she was elated. It’s a response Jones loves seeing.
The first home Kingdom Lawn and Lighting put lights on were left up for six months so that the serviceman, who was overseas, could experience them when he returned home.
“It was a way for us to show that mom and the kids, ‘we support you. Even though you’re not the one overseas, you’re still sacrificing,’” Jones said.
In 2014, they put up lights for Mahomet residents Tim and Evie Newman, three months after Tim returned from his third deployment.
The home of an 82-year old Veteran who served in Vietnam was also decorated.
“He said that he was a Vietnam vet,” Jones remembers. “And when he came back from Vietnam, people treated them like dirt. They were not respected or appreciated. He got emotional.
“That’s exactly why we’re doing this program, to say thank you: no matter what you did or when you served, you sacrificed.”
“This is one small way that as a professional lighting company that I can say thank you. And it’s very easy for me.”
Jones’ business model includes finding the right fit of Christmas lights and lawn services for homeowners, whether they need help maintaining their property or want to take larger steps to create an inviting outdoor space.
“Regardless of which season we’re in., we’re a small local business,” he said. “We may not be the lowest price, but we’re not going to be the highest price, either. We’re going to be a fair price for both parties.
“I’m going to make some money to support my family and my employees, but I’m going to provide a service that our clients want, and they’re going to be happy with.”
Jones enjoys the conversations with the customers, learning about if they want to update their home to sell in a year, if they would like to have a tree for their children to climb, or if they need someone reliable to mow the lawn and take care of the weeds.
“We just come alongside them and help them attain their desire and goal,” he said. “Whether that’s cleaning out the gutters, or planting some grass seed or putting up Christmas lights.”
