Giving Back Through Landscape: New Garden’s Military Makeover for the Reeves Family

See New Garden’s feature segment on Military Makeover Local Edition, Saturday Sept. 27 at 1:30 PM and Sunday Sept. 28 at 1:30 PM on WCWG-CW (WXII/CW20)

When the Reeves family was selected for Military Makeover with Montel, New Garden Landscaping & Nursery saw an opportunity to do what we’ve always aimed to do: use our craft to give back, thoughtfully and intentionally, to a local family whose story reflects service, resilience, and community.

A Family Built on Service and Support

Sean Reeves, a Greensboro native, answered the call to serve early in life. After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps straight out of high school, he deployed to Afghanistan, where he endured the harsh realities of combat—returning home with serious injuries that would become part of his daily life. Today, Sean continues his commitment to others as a care coordinator at Veterans Bridge Home, helping fellow veterans navigate difficult transitions. Beside him through it all is Marilyn Cecilia Williams, his life partner and steady support, who brings her own quiet strength, creativity, and love for gardening to their shared life.

Their story isn’t just one of sacrifice; it’s one of connection, family, and the quiet power of having a place to pause. That’s where New Garden stepped in.

A young man in uniform with the American flag behind them.

Purposeful Design, Intentional Execution

Our team focused on what mattered most: improving the functionality, flow, and feel of the Reeves family’s outdoor space so it could better serve as a place to gather, reflect, and recharge.

Key elements of the project included:

Retaining wall construction to define and stabilize the landscape, giving structure to the yard while creating visual interest and usable space.
Shrub shaping and clean-up, bringing clarity and intentional form to overgrown areas, making the yard feel cared for without erasing its character.
New, easy-care trees, shrubs, and perennials to add color and interest, providing a peaceful, uncluttered backdrop for reflection and quiet connection.
Fresh mulch and bed refinement to tie the improvements together, giving the landscape a finished, grounded look that supports long-term health and ease of maintenance.

Each step was executed with care to create a cohesive outdoor environment that feels like home.

A man and a woman standing together in a living room. The man has his arm around the woman.

A modest home with light-colored siding and a gray roof on a sunny winter day, with a wooded area behind it.

Behind the Scenes

Our crew brought the work to life with steady focus. From setting each stone in the retaining wall to the final sweep of mulch, the attention to detail reflected the commitment we bring to every client. It meant a lot to us to be able to give back to someone whose service has given so much to others.

The team building a curved retaining wall in a backyard beside a house.

Placing the shrubs for the planting team.

Installing the shrubs around the existing patio.

This was during the June heatwave. It was hot!

There was a lot going on, all to help the family have an accommodating, restorative space.

Integration with Purpose

This partnership with Military Makeover was more than a project; it was an alignment of values. At New Garden, “Deeply rooted. Naturally inspired.” guides how we approach every space. For the Reeves family, that meant listening to their story, respecting their journey, and applying our experience to create a yard that supports connection to the outdoors and to each other.

The transformation is subtle in photos but tangible in experience: a yard with defined edges, purposeful hardscape, and a refreshed setting where quiet moments and family time can happen without distraction.

Thank You to The Military Makeover Team

Watch the reveal episode!

We’re grateful the Military Makeover team approached us to be part of this project and for their commitment to authentic, meaningful integration. Together, we set out to create a space that honors the family’s experience, not with empty symbolism, but with a practical, lasting solution.

Looking Ahead

The Reeves family now has an outdoor space that fits their needs—functional, welcoming, and easier to maintain. This project demonstrates how practical, well-planned landscaping can enhance daily life by creating spaces for family time, quiet, and recovery.

If you were inspired by this story and want to bring that same purpose-driven transformation to your property, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation or explore more of our community projects to see how “Deeply rooted. Naturally inspired.” looks in action.

VOLUNTEER WORK, DONATIONS, COMMUNITYNew GardenSeptember 22, 2025MILITARY MAKEOVER