Six teens start snow removal business, help neighbors across Middletown, Cromwell and Portland.
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — James Lemieux and his five friends spent the day driving through Middletown, Cromwell and Portland, shoveling sidewalks and driveways for anyone who needed help.
“We woke up this morning and wanted to help people, and we were pretty bored, so we figured why not help people and make some money doing it,” Lemieux said.
Maisha McFadden said she heard about the group through Facebook.
“Everybody started saying they had just come by and that they were so respectful and professional,” McFadden said. “So I messaged the woman, and she got back to me in about 15 minutes, and now here we are.”
The woman was Lemieux’s mother, Katie.
Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines
“She’s basically been our dispatcher,” Brody Czaja said. “We tell her we finished a job, and she tells us where to go next.”
The group visited 18 homes Monday and earned more than $700.
They call their business Boolin Landscape.
Two of the boys’ fathers own construction businesses, which is where some of the equipment came from, along with tools provided by other parents.
“We have two trucks, and since the snow was bad this morning, we took the vehicles that could handle it,” Nick Fox said. “We split up into two groups of three.”
Chase Scmenza said the best part of the experience was spending time together while helping the community.
“We make money, but it’s not the money that’s going to last,” he said. “It’s the memories and helping people out.”
RELATED: Pietro’s Pizza stays open through winter storm to serve Hartford community
RELATED: Roadside assistance calls on the rise as Connecticut drivers get back on the road
Kaye Paddyfote is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at kpaddyfote@fox61.com. Follow her on X and Instagram.
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
FOLLOW US ON X, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
