If Rodney Smith Jr.’s wish could come true, all boys and girls across America would have an admirable big brother – provided they are willing to pass on kindness by volunteering to mow lawns for elderly and disabled individuals.
Smith, born in Bermuda, recalled during an interview with The Epoch Times, how his parents taught him about charity when he was young, often taking him out to feed the homeless.
“I feel like this is a part of shaping my character today,” said the 35-year-old Smith. He left his birthplace in 2009, moving to northern New York and now resides in Huntsville, Alabama.
Smith majored in social work at Texas A&M University, following in his father’s footsteps. Before that, he worked in the computer technology industry but later decided to abandon his original career path to follow his passion for helping others. Today, he primarily operates his nonprofit organization, Raising Men Lawn Care Services (RMLCS), and its sister project, Raising Girls Lawn Care Services.
Most days, Smith focuses on whether healthy children across America are participating in his “50-Yard Challenge,” a charitable challenge for children that encourages them to mow lawns for elderly, veterans, disabled individuals, and others in need 50 times for free. He also frequently visits schools, offering free lawn services, with a schedule full all year round.
According to Smith, it all began with a good deed during his senior year in college in 2015.
“That day I just got out of school, and I saw an elderly man outside mowing the lawn,” he said. “He looked like he was struggling, so I pulled over and helped him out. Little did I know, that small act of kindness would completely change my life.”
After returning home that evening, Smith shared the experience on Facebook. He was greatly inspired and volunteered to mow lawns for other seniors. He asked online if anyone had elderly parents or knew disabled veterans who needed assistance, and he was willing to offer his service in person.
“I can’t remember how many lawns I mowed back then,” Smith said. “Many people contacted me, and I started mowing lawns. Initially, my goal was 40 lawns – because I was still in school, I did it in my free time between classes – but I quickly reached that number and had to raise the goal to 100 lawns.”
In 2016, he officially founded RMLCS. In addition to continuing to mow lawns for locals in need, he invited children nationwide to participate in the “50-Yard Challenge” to contribute to the community. Children who complete the challenge receive a brand-new lawn mower and edger as a reward, personally delivered by Smith to their homes, no matter where they live in the U.S.
Jesse Ward from Warner Robins, Georgia, accepted the challenge. [Provided by Jennifer Selby Ward]
Phoenix Browne from Chesapeake, Virginia, mowed 50 lawns for others for free after signing up for the “Raising Men Lawn Care Services” “50-Yard Challenge.” [Provided by Sheldon Brown]
Today, Smith’s Facebook page is full of photos of children smiling, holding homemade signs with “I accept the 50-Yard Challenge” written with markers. In the pictures, they have neatly trimmed overgrown areas, standing next to grateful elderly homeowners.
Over the years, approximately 5,000 boys and girls have signed up for the challenge. While many did not complete the goal of all 50 lawns and dropped out, about 400 to 500 people successfully finished all the tasks.
This challenge has not only helped the elderly and disabled but has also impacted all children aged 7 to 17 who participated.
It teaches life lessons.
“This (project) means guiding children,” Smith said. “Teaching them the importance of giving back to society, helping others. Mowing lawns is also a great exercise. Mowing itself is healing; you can listen to music while working.”
He said that during the COVID-19 lockdown, it was especially important for children to get outside, breathe fresh air, and exercise.
“Many kids were at home attending online classes, so more and more people started signing up,” Smith said. “Since then, this challenge has continued to grow and expand.”
He has traveled across all 50 states in the U.S., personally delivering complete lawn care equipment kits to the children who completed the challenge, visiting these “winners,” and continuing to provide free lawn trimming outside Alabama.
He remembers a challenger named Wesley from Michigan. At the time, he was around 14, and Smith visited him personally to award him a set of lawn care tools as a reward.
Smith said that mentoring like this gradually opened up Wesley’s personality.
“His mom told me that when he first signed up, he was a shy and quiet kid who always kept to himself,” he said. “Later, he joined this organization, started going out and interacting with people, became more outgoing, and gradually became someone who enjoys communicating with others.”
Smith said some children felt empowered after receiving the new tools and started their lawn care service companies, while others continued to volunteer mow lawns. They could also choose to trim lawns for specific charitable causes or teachers. RMLCS also has a “Military Edition” and a “First Responders Edition.”
Smith’s vision is to get more children to join this initiative, continue to expand his mentoring program, and become the “big brother” in the eyes of the children who take on the challenge.
“Someday, I hope RMLCS can grow as big as the ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters,'” he said. “We want to establish branches in all 50 states across America.”