Raising Men Lawn Care Service

  While several companies have generously reached out to provide free lawn care to first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s one organization (besides GreenCare for Troops) that has championed this charitable spirit since 2016. Raising Men Lawn Care Service (RMLCS) provides free mowing, raking, and snow shoveling for single mothers, veterans, elderly, and those who are disabled. But here’s the twist: it’s kids age seven to 17 who do the work! Designed to promote community awareness and volunteerism in future generations, RMLCS is a platform for youth to give back to those in need. And the kids gain a variety of valuable lawn care and social skills, which enables and influences them to pass along the keys of charitable giving to the next generation. RMLCS is the brain child of Rodney Smith, Jr. of Alabama. He was driving home from college one day in Huntsville when he saw an elderly man, a Mr. Brown, struggling to mow his lawn. Smith jumped out of his car to help the man and later, realizing there must be many others like Brown, made a pledge to himself: he would mow 40 lawns for people in need. When he reached that number in less than two months, he upped his goal to 100 lawns. Eventually, as word spread of Smith’s efforts, he received news about kids he had inspired to mow lawns in their areas. It gave Smith an idea and RMLCS was born — and with it came “The 50 Yard Challenge,” ...