Youth Around the Country Mow Lawns Free of Charge Through Innovative Nonprofit

Rodney Smith Jr. came to the U.S. from Bermuda when he was 16 years old to attend a school in upstate New York for children with learning disabilities. He later founded a nationwide initiative that encourages youth to give back to their communities through acts of kindness and service.

Raising Men Lawn Care Inc., a nonprofit founded in 2015, and Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service, founded in 2018 to include women, promote kindness and volunteerism. 

“Through it, we inspire kids and teens across the country to give back by mowing lawns for free for the elderly, disabled, single parents, and veterans. It’s about teaching responsibility, leadership, and the importance of service,” said Smith. “Raking leaves and shoveling snow is also included.”

Once a child accepts a 50 Yard Challenge by signing up on Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service’s website, he or she receives an official t-shirt, safety glasses, and ear protection to get them started. The challenge is self-paced with no deadline.

“As they complete milestones—10, 20, 30, and 40 lawns—they earn new t-shirt colors, each representing their progress. When they reach all 50 lawns, I personally travel to meet them and present them with brand-new lawn care equipment: a mower, weed eater, and blower,” Smith added.

Youth ages 8-17 can sign up to volunteer. They must reside in the U.S. to participate. To date, over 6,000 kids have participated across all 50 states. The majority of program participants begin their volunteering journey by using family equipment. When they complete the 50 Yard Challenge, Smith personally delivers a new lawn mower, weed eater, and blower to them as a reward and tool to keep serving others in need, free of charge.

“All services are 100% free for the elderly, disabled, single parents, and veterans. We believe in giving without expecting anything in return,” Smith confirmed.

Individuals who fit into the nonprofit’s demographic can request service through www.WeAreRaisingMen.com. Smith mentioned that referrals are also provided by various insurance companies.

 “Kids from across the country sign up to volunteer and are responsible for finding lawns to mow in their own communities. When someone submits a request on our site and we have a participating child in that area, we forward the request directly to them. We operate nationwide—anywhere in the U.S. where we have kids signed up is eligible,” Smith added.

Smith, who is based in Alabama, mows lawns for free in Huntsville daily. During the summer, local children often join him. Other youth in Smith’s program mow lawns free of charge in their own communities.

Smith is not a U.S. citizen yet, but he is working on it. 

“I’m currently on an O-1A visa while I wait for my green card,” Smith explained.

He holds a master’s degree in social work, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Alabama A&M University in 2016. 

Smith continues to show youth the difference that they can make in someone’s life by showing a simple act of kindness, such as mowing a lawn for free.

“It builds compassion, discipline, and leadership,” Smith stated.

The ambitious do-gooder has authored three children’s books. They promote kindness, service, and making a difference in communities.

Jan Bush, an elderly resident of Huntsville, Alabama, stated that Smith and youth have been mowing her lawn since 2018.

“I’m no longer able to mow my lawn myself, and hiring someone regularly just isn’t in my budget. Their help has taken a big weight off my shoulders and given me peace of mind. It’s also reminded me that there are still good, caring people in the world,” she explained while expressing gratitude.

Lamar Knight, a 19-year-old college student from Alabama has been a program participant since 2017.

“Being in the program since 2017 has taught me a lot about giving back, staying committed, and helping others without expecting anything in return. It’s shown me the value of hard work and how small acts of kindness can make a big difference,” he said.Youth who live in Maryland are encouraged to volunteer and take the 50 Yard Challenge so that local elderly; disabled; single parents; and veterans can receive support through Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service. Everything Smith and youth volunteers do is possible because of donors. Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit www.WeAreRaisingMen.com to learn more  about Raising Men Lawn Care Inc. and https://weareraisingmen.com/findavolunteer. Follow Smith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodneysmithjr and Facebook: Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service: https://www.facebook.com/raisingmenlawncarehsv.