OUR STORY
It started with
one lawn.
It grew into a movement.
Helping neighbors. Growing leaders.
Putting the care back in lawn care.
One neighbor
changed everything.
In 2015, Rodney Smith Jr. was in his senior year of college when he came across an elderly man struggling to mow his lawn. Rodney pulled over and helped him finish. That one lawn became the start of a much bigger mission.
He set himself a goal: mow 40 lawns for free between classes. He reached it so quickly that he raised the goal to 100. Within a month and a half, he had reached 100 lawns—and began thinking about how to bring young people into the work.
From one lawn to the 50 Yard Challenge.
That was the beginning of Raising Men Lawn Care Service. Rodney wanted to get local kids involved in their community and give them a way to give back. In 2016, the story went viral, and kids across the country began joining the mission.
Today, the 50 Yard Challenge gives kids a clear goal: mow 50 lawns for free for neighbors who need a helping hand. Each lawn is a chance to practice responsibility, build confidence, and see what it means to show up for someone else.
The shirts celebrate their progress. The bigger reward is learning how much good they can do.
See a need.
Lend a hand.
Invite others.
Watch how
kindness grows.
Watch on YouTube ↗Who we help.
The elderly
People with disabilities
Single parents
Veterans
Active-duty service members
First responders
Raising Men.
Raising Women.
Raising leaders.
What began as Raising Men grew to include Raising Women, giving girls their own program identity and shirts. Boys and girls share the same mission: serve their neighbors, discover what they can give, and grow into leaders.
Anything he can mow,
she can mow better.
The heart of our story.
