Alabama A&M student Rodney Smith Jr. didn’t own a lawnmower himself when he started volunteering to mow lawns for elderly people last year. He ended up mowing 100 lawns in 2015 and, with Terrence Stroy, launched an organization called Raising Men Lawn Care Service. The group of volunteers mow lawns for the elderly, disabled, single parents, or anyone in need. They have become quite popular in Huntsville, Alabama.
His service receives recommendations through Facebook of people in the Huntsville area who need their lawn mowed. He and Stroy often post photos on the organization's Facebook page of boys in their program, smiling with the person whose lawn they just mowed.
"A lot of people, they can't afford it," he said. "They're on social security, barely making it, and they're happy we can do this every two weeks for them."
That's another thing. The lawn-mowing isn't just a one-time thing. The lawncare service visits its clients every two weeks to make sure their lawns stay tidy.
Smith said he's seen clients cry tears of joy when they see their lawns. "One lady had bone cancer and couldn't afford to pay someone to cut her grass. So many people have fallen on hard times and it feels good to be able to help them."
About 20 boys, ages 7 to 17 participate in the program. Their parents or friends contact the service through Facebook, and Smith sends them the sign-up forms.
The group has received support from law mower companies, hardware stores, and donors. Smith hopes the concept will catch on another communities. -via reddit