What do autism awareness, lawn care, and toilet paper have in common? It’s not the start of an avant-garde joke: it’s Rodney Smith Jr.. If you haven’t heard the name, don’t be shocked–he’s not a high-powered CEO or Instagram model. Instead, Rodney Smith is an Alabama man who believes in supporting his community and bettering the world around him. Now, he’s helping those trapped by COVID-19. (1)
Starting Raising Men
In 2016, Smith Jr. started the nonprofit Raising Men Lawn Care Services (RMLCS). Raising Men mentors young people of any gender, ranging between the ages of 7 and 17, by having them provide services for people in need. This can range from mowing lawns, shoveling snow, raking leaves, and other tasks. Usually, their clientele consists of the elderly and disabled, but they also provide services to veterans and single mothers. All of this work is done free of charge. The goal is to give the kids “a great sense of achievement while also developing their social skills and lawn care experience,” according to the RMLCS website. It’s also something these young people enjoy. “The kids are so excited,” Smith Jr. says, “They call and say ‘save my spot this weekend, please?'” (1, 2)
The Novel Coronavirus Response
The start of the pandemic has not slowed Smith Jr. down. He still mows people’s lawns, but now he also brings them food and other essentials. “People have been donating money for hand sanitizer, fresh fruit, water, toilet paper, and other items for those who can’t get outside of their house,” he says. “I mow lawns, drop off, and go.” Hugs with his clients are now off the table. Instead, Smith Jr. takes selfies with the people he helps.
Even before the pandemic, RMLCS meant a lot to people. In a 2017 interview, he said those he helps “are so grateful. We have elderly people who just cry.” Now, his civic-minded spirit is inspiring others. When he went to make a delivery to one elderly man, the gentleman explained that his pantry was already full and “asked me [Smith Jr.] to give them to another elderly person in need.” (2, 3)
Giving Back Events
Usually, at this time, Smith Jr. would be on his “50 states, 50 yards” tour. During every tour, he mows a few lawns in each state. There are different themes for every tour. The one he planned to do right now was for autism awareness, where he invited children and teens with autism to mow a strip of lawn alongside him, using a special, quieter lawnmower, which, after the tour, would be auctioned off. Other planned tours were for fallen heroes, teachers, and childhood cancer. He also runs the ’50 Yard Challenge’, to channel “the energy that youths have in a positive way as well as helping those who need it the most.” Participating children get a different colored shirt for every ten lawns they mow. After 50, they receive a free lawn mower, leaf blower, and weed eater, as well as a visit from Smith Jr. He currently has over 700 young people signed up. (1, 2, 3)
