BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — Jared Morris did not expect to win when Gulf Coast Times readers were asked to choose someone they believed deserved recognition for making a difference in the community.
The local business owner, recovery advocate and founder of Landyn Trees said he was surprised when he learned voters had selected him as the winner of the Gulf Coast Times People’s Choice Community Spotlight.
“I was very excited,” Morris said. “I kinda was shocked. Didn’t think I would win.”
The recognition came directly from community members who described Morris as hardworking, selfless and willing to step forward when local families need help.
For Morris, the support confirmed that the work he does through his business, recovery outreach and community service is reaching people.
“It means a lot to me,” Morris said. “Makes me feel good to know that the things I’m doing is helping and people see it.”
Voters point to service, recovery and hard work
Several voters said they supported Morris because they had personally witnessed his willingness to help others.
One voter described him as one of the hardest-working people they know and said he consistently goes out of his way to provide quality work.
The voter also credited Morris with creating job opportunities for friends and other people in the community.
“He is a very kind and genuine person, and he always goes out of his way to make sure he does a great quality job,” the voter said.
Morris’ work in the recovery community was another major reason residents said they voted for him.
According to voters, Morris participates in Narcotics Anonymous and supports people working to rebuild their lives. His outreach reportedly includes bringing recovery meetings into correctional facilities and treatment centers, including Brazos Place.
“He makes it a priority to be of service both in and out of the rooms of NA,” one voter said.
Another voter said Morris overcame a difficult beginning, built his own business and then used his experience to help others overcome their own struggles.
“Jared had a rough start in life,” the voter said. “Not only did he overcome it, but he created a business by himself and helped others overcome their rough starts as well.”
The voter also said Morris regularly attends community benefits and puts money earned through his business back into the community.
“Jared is at each benefit in this community, putting the money he made from this community back into it to help others,” the voter said.
Recovery work changes lives
Ryan Chaput said Morris has had a personal impact on his life as his recovery sponsor.
Chaput described Morris as genuine, family-oriented and committed to serving others through his business and recovery work.
“As someone who has the privilege of calling Jared my sponsor, I’ve experienced firsthand the kind of man he is,” Chaput said. “He leads by example, genuinely cares about people and has had a tremendous impact on my life.”
Chaput said Morris has spent countless hours helping him grow, remain accountable and learn how to live with honesty and purpose.
“His willingness to help others find a new way to live is something that inspires me every day,” Chaput said.
That work extends beyond individual sponsorship.
Chaput said Morris regularly carries recovery meetings into prison units in Brazoria County, offering encouragement to people who may feel they have run out of options.
Morris said helping others also helps him remain focused on his own faith and purpose.
“All the help that I do helps me stay positive and keeps me in line with God,” Morris said. “I’m in the life-changing business today. Giving back is my purpose.”
Hurricane response stood out to residents
Morris’ response following Hurricane Beryl was repeatedly mentioned by voters.
Chaput said Morris and his crew worked long days removing fallen trees, clearing dangerous debris and covering damaged roofs so families could begin recovering.
“After Hurricane Beryl hit Brazoria County, he and his crew worked around the clock—often 18 hours or more a day—removing trees from homes, clearing dangerous debris and tarping roofs so families could begin rebuilding,” Chaput said.
Chaput said many jobs during the first weeks after the storm were completed at no charge because Morris placed helping residents ahead of making money.
Caylie Cunningham said she also witnessed Morris working day and night during hurricane season.
“He would work day and night helping people for low cost or nothing at all,” Cunningham said. “He’s a huge advocate for the recovery community and an inspiration to many.”
Those accounts helped shape the community vote and showed why residents believed Morris deserved recognition beyond his work as a business owner.
A business built from the ground up
Morris said his family started Landyn Trees with very little approximately 13 years ago.
The business is named after his first son, Landyn, who is now 13.
“Landyn is my first son, and he is 13, and we started with nothing 13 years ago,” Morris said.
He described Landyn Trees as a family-run operation built around quality work, proper equipment and standing behind every job.
“We do our very best at everything we do for our customers,” Morris said. “We have all the right equipment.”
Morris said the people working with him are also involved in the recovery and community-service activities that matter to him.
“The guys I have working are all clean and are involved in all the activities that we do,” Morris said. “We are just a well-oiled machine that stands by our work.”
Voters said the company has developed a strong reputation not only because of its tree work, but because customers are treated with honesty and respect.
“His clients will tell you that they don’t just receive quality tree work—they’re treated with honesty, respect and integrity,” Chaput said.
Morris said the company also tries to work with people who may be struggling with the cost of necessary tree removal or maintenance.
“We also help people when we can with their trees and prices,” Morris said.
Helping people find work and a new direction
Morris said his outreach goes beyond recovery meetings and tree work.
He helps people find jobs, supports local residents and contributes to nonprofit organizations and community causes.
“I’m involved in going to the prisons, treatment centers,” Morris said. “I help people find work. Support our local people. Donations to all sorts of nonprofits.”
Voters said that willingness to create opportunities is one of the qualities that makes him stand out.
Rather than separating his business from his service work, Morris has attempted to build the two around the same principles: accountability, work and giving people another chance.
Chaput said Morris does not help others because he is seeking public recognition.
“Jared doesn’t serve the community because he wants recognition—he serves because that’s who he is,” Chaput said. “That’s exactly why he deserves this Community Spotlight award.”
Family stood by him
When asked who he wanted to recognize following the community vote, Morris immediately credited his family.
“I want to thank my family for sticking by my side and never giving up on me,” Morris said.
His family remains involved in the business and in the community efforts surrounding it.
Morris said their support helped him move forward from a difficult period in his life and build something that now allows him to assist others.
Doing the right thing without recognition
Morris said one principle guides the way he approaches business, recovery and community service.
“I do the next right thing even when nobody’s looking,” Morris said.
That statement closely matches what voters said they had witnessed through his work after storms, participation in local benefits, recovery outreach and willingness to assist people who could not always afford help.
The Gulf Coast Times People’s Choice Community Spotlight was created to allow residents to recognize people whose contributions may not always receive widespread attention.
This time, voters chose a man they said turned his own difficult experiences into a reason to help others move forward.
For Morris, the award is not the end of that work.
It is another reminder that the community notices when someone continues showing up.