Kelly Clarkson is touched by one man’s dedication in helping the elderly and disabled tend to their yard. Rodney Smith Jr. has been mowing their grass out of the goodness of his heart and said it is God’s calling for him to do and now he is urging the younger generation to follow in his footsteps and take part in a lawn-mowing challenge.
Smith said he started mowing grasses by himself after he saw an old man having such a hard time clearing his yard. This was in 2015. He saw the man struggling so he pulled him over and helped him out.
“That night I decided I would start mowing free lawns for the elderly, disabled, single parents, and veterans,” Smith said in an interview for “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
It was through his determination and perseverance to help those in need that Smith started Raising Men Lawn Care service. Through his program, he has mowed over 2,000 lawns.
Now he wants other people to know about his organization and encourage kids nationwide and even worldwide to mow 50 free lawns in their community as part of the “50 Yard Challenge.”
Those who complete 50 gets a Raising Men/Women Lawn Care shirt and cleaning supplies including a new mower, weed eater, and blower personally delivered to them by Smith. He said their program has so far reached over 500 kids.
“We’re trying to encourage boys and girls to get out there and make a difference one lawn at a time,” Smith said.
In his interview with Kelly Clarkson, the Bermuda native said that it was his calling to do good for other people. God led him to this path after high school.
“When I was young I disliked mowing lawns. But God took something I disliked and turned it into something now I love to do and I’m doing it every single day for free…One small act of kindness grew into all of this and I never would expect it would grow,” he said.
Smith added that he and his organization do not just mow lawns they also help in raking leaves and snow shoveling in the fall and winter.
Smith admitted that he only wanted to bring positivity and encourage people to help others. He is beyond impressed and amazed at how God has turned his calling into a worldwide inspiration and phenomenon.