Mulch for Military

10/02/2026

Another great volunteer day completed with a small BUT mighty crew. 5 volunteers from The Home Depot and 2 of my former employees from HP, as well as help from my bride and Brother, installed 20+ guards and MANY more markers cleaned and beautified. So very thankful for businesses like Home Depot and my family for supporting our great cause!!!

09/26/2026

Lots going on in October! Here's what's happening.

Friday Oct 2 - Volunteer day at St. Cecilia's Cemetery in Leominster with Home Depot employees and some of my former employees from HP. Excited to clean and beautify guards already installed and install new guards for the 40 or so not done yet.

Sunday Oct 4th - 39th annual Halloween Bike Run in Canton Ma. Last years event had approx. 180 riders and was a HUGE success. Run starts and finishes at Canton Town Club.

Friday Oct 16th - Volunteer day at Evergreen cemetery in Leominster with volunteers from Bristol Myers Squibb and Element.

Saturday Oct 31st - Last volunteer day of the year! No businesses committed yet, so wide open for anyone or businesses! Cleanup and install guards at Evergreen cemetery.

Volunteer days typically start by 930 (coffee/donuts and instructions at 9ish,) lunch around noon, typically done by 1 pm.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions! Thank you, Fran-president, Mulch for Military.

09/15/2026

Such an honor to be recognized by Country Bank! It was a fantastic night.

Meet our next 2026 WooStar, Francis Richard, Co-Founder, President, and Executive Director of Mulch for Military! 🌟

What began with a visit to the grave marker of Fran’s nephew, fallen hero Pfc. Jonathan Roberge, grew into a mission to ensure that no veteran’s final resting place is forgotten or left neglected.

Since co-founding Mulch for Military in 2021, Fran has helped grow the organization from a local effort in Leominster into a volunteer-driven nonprofit now serving nine cemeteries across North Central and Central Massachusetts. Through projects like the Evergreen Project, which restored 136 military grave markers, the organization continues to honor veterans by preserving the places where they are laid to rest.

Francis coordinates volunteer workdays, recruits community and corporate partners, and sources the materials needed to keep the mission moving forward — all while working full-time. In 2026, Mulch for Military is on track to service 300 grave markers and expand its work into Worcester.

Country Bank is proud to recognize Francis as a 2026 WooStar and present a $5,000 donation to Mulch for Military Inc. in partnership with the WooSox Foundation!

Meet Francis: https://hubs.ly/Q04vyJdh0

09/13/2026

What a success our third annual golf tournament was! Thanks again to all of our sponsors and golfers it was an amazing day. 

08/14/2026

ALMOST have this retirement thing figured out ..thinking 2 days a week maintaining the markers we've installed in the 18+ cemeteries we have worked in, and adding new cemeteries to install guards and take care of the many veteran markers that need our TLC. Visited the cemetery in ashby today across from the Allen baseball field on west St. And installed 5 guards and cleaned and lifted another bronze marker mounted in 10" of cement. Tough to walk by a veteran marker that is overgrown and not address. Was able to install a guard for friend Chuck Sawyer from South Fitchburg Social Club - SFSC as well as 4 others today. Had 4 done then met the granddaughter of a Veteran visiting and installed a guard on his grave. So Thankful to have a mission in retirement!

08/12/2026

So VERY proud of what Mulch for Military has accomplished since we started in September of 2021! Last night was a pretty special night, for Gabe and I, as well as all the family, friends, and volunteers who continue to support our cause! Couldn't do this alone, so very greatful to all who have helped! I Can't thank Deb and Garrett from Magic Lamp Consulting, Inc and her whole team for nominating Mulch for Military to be considered for this award. And lastly, huge THANK YOU to Country Bank (We met Mary and Jodie last night) as well as others from Country Bank who were awesome! Such a thrill to get on the field! And a nice donation from Country Bank as well certainly helps support our cause !!

08/04/2026

Hi all - excited for our next fundraiser , this saturday, Aug 8th from 6pm-9pm. Awesome raffle prizes, great beers (and other cocktails) at Wachusett Brewery in westminster ma.

07/19/2026

Such a great night at Sterling Street Brewery last night ! Huge shout out to The DOTS for another awesome performance- always thankful to Sterling st brewery for hosting this event! Our raffle table was awesome. Thanks to all who helped, and for all who were present and bought raffle tickets to support our cause! Met lots of new peeps last night, and got to see some friends and family who are so supportive of Mulch for Military. Special thanks to Toby Eaton and Jenny Eaton who bring the "Clinton crowd" in full force !!

06/25/2026

Always a fun night! Come support a Great cause and possibly leave with a prize or two!

06/13/2026

We don't normally do volunteer days in July and August because of the heat, but yesterday's volunteer day with Bristol Myers Squibb and Nationalgrid felt like a July day for sure ! We were a small, but mighty crew installing guards in 90 degree weather. We had plenty of hydration and cut it short for safety reasons. Did install 11 guards and cleaned several more previously installed guards. Huge shout out to Jill Carrillo from BMS and Shaun Tisdale from Nationalgrid who organized their respective volunteers. Some pictures from yesterday...