Nanuet High School Student Starts Business, Gives Back To American Cancer Society

17-year-old Nanuet Senior High School student Andrew Hawkins claims, “In my life I have been blessed with opportunities that have led me to where I am now. My parents, David and Susan, have supported me throughout my endeavors.”

And he and the business he founded, Black Knights Yard Service—which offers odd job services to those minus the blessing of time—is returning that blessing 10 percent to the American Cancer Society.

“Personally, I felt that giving to charity is a great way to both serve our clients and help others at the same time. The donation concept also will give us an edge over other professional contractors because it allows people to get the work they need done, benefit a great cause and save money.”

And why the business? “One day in English class, my friend and I were thinking of ways in which to make money the upcoming summer (this was in my sophomore year). I thought of a landscaping company where we could do all the odd jobs that no one has time for or the willingness to pay a professional contractor to complete them. It was the perfect opportunity for me because I have an extremely busy schedule and I cannot keep a full-time job throughout the summer. In this business model, I can take on as much work as I want at any given time and back off the workload when I need to.”

Black Knights Yard Service includes but is not limited to window washing and power washing; barbeque installations with those tedious-to-follow instructions; fence removal; pool cleaning; and landscaping matters like lawn mowing and weeding, seasonal cleanups, planting and pruning, gardening, mulching and rock removal.

In addition to his charitable work with the American cancer Society, Hawkins is also very hard at work on his : restoration and creation of a 9/11 Memorial at St. Margaret’s Parish on Magnolia Street in Pearl River.

“The idea of assisting others and trying to better other’s lives is a major part of the Boy Scouts. These values led me to my new business approach, as well as the project that is underway. The project is dedicated to those who had to suffer through the loss of a loved one, and I hope it will serve as a place of comfort on the 10^th anniversary of 9/11.”

The names of both the Pearl River and Nanuet victims of the tragedy will be featured on two large granite slabs that will be the center point of the monument. “The slabs,” affirms Hawkins, “symbolize the twin towers and a cross, fashioned from the metal of the south tower, will be featured in between.”

His parents are there with him at the project site from 8 a.m. when he starts until he finishes when the sun goes down. “They struggle with me through the difficulties and inexperience with construction. I could not do this without them.”

In the end, for Andrew Hawkins it’s all about returning the good fortune that he’s received through his hard work. “I believe in giving back, and that it is the responsibility of the youth of our community to help others.” 

Black Knights Yard Service, (845) 664-3573, blackknightsyardservice@gmail.com, http://blackknightsyardservice.webs.com.