Rodney Smith Jr. Teaches Young Men The Importance Of Giving Back—One Lawn At A Time

It's not every day that people are willing to give their extra change, and actual time to people but that's where those like Rodney Smith Jr. come into play.

Two years ago he noticed an old man mowing his lawn. It was the middle of an Alabama summer—AKA hot as a the devil's living quarters. Smith knew what he had to do, so he stopped and helped out his elder. The old man was stunned but didn't object to the helping hand at all. That's when Smith got the idea to spread this lawn care gift.

Soon after he organized and began Raising Men Lawn Company. He shared his mission with Southern Living, "I want to make the world a better place." Which is exactly what he's done. He works with young men and women in the community, and they head out and mow the lawns of those who need it most; elderly men like the one who initially inspired this whole thing, disabled who can't tend to their own lawn due to physical restraints, single parents who are busy enough, and of course those who've served their country, veterans.

Raising Men Lawn Care is out there to promote awareness for one's community in Smith's local youth. He takes in kids ages 7-17 and teaches then the beauty of giving back. He boasts that those involved learn not only the gift of giving, but also social skills and of course lawn care along the way. 

Another thing this program does is it gets our kids outside. We all know kids today are often glued to their screens, so it’s great to see them out, about and doing some good in the world!

Smith and his kids do all of their services for free, and he doesn't want to this be just in his area. His goal is to get this going all over the country, and encourages those interested in starting their own chapter to sign up here.