Rodney Smith Jr

Founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service - 501(c)(3) | We provide free lawn care to the elderly, disabled, single parents , veterans.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Making a difference one lawn at a time. Full version 2:39.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

It’s gives me great pride to announce that Kiera & Evan of North Platte, Nebraska who are taking part in our 50 Yard Challenge have submitted their 50th lawn, officially completing our 50 yard challenge .i will be visiting them soon .

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Today I had the pleasure of mowing Mr. Wayne’s lawn . It was great seeing him , he’s doing well! Making a difference, one lawn at a time .

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

This morning I had the pleasure of mowing Ms. Holders lawn . She left for church , but when she returns , she will return to a freshly mowed lawn . Making a difference , one lawn at a time .

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

This morning, I had the pleasure of mowing Miss Hill Lawn. It was great seeing her, she’s doing well. Making a difference, one Lawn at a time.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Kiera & Evan of North Platte, Nebraska are back at it in our 50 Yard Challenge! Great job making a difference. This is Lawn 49. They have one more to go. When I head out west , Nebraska has the most kids I’ll be visiting on that trip with about six kids.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Challenge Accepted! Jehoshua of Titusville,Florida has stepped up to make a difference and accepting our 50 yard challenge , committing to mow 50 free yards for those in need in his community. This is what it’s all about. Welcome to the family, Jehoshua !

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Kayli & Landon of Lincoln, Nebraska are back in action with our 50 Yard Challenge! Great to see them continuing their journey of serving others and making a difference, one lawn at a time!

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Kiera & Evan of North Platte, Nebraska are back at it in our 50 Yard Challenge! Great job making a difference. They are almost done !!!!

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Ammon of Pocatello, ID who is taking part in our 50 yard challenge mowed a lawn recently ! Nice job

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Sweet home Alabama

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Rylee of El Dorado , KS who is taking part in our 50 yard challenge adds another to her name !

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

The kids you see in this photo aren’t just wearing black T-shirts, they earned them. Every black shirt represents 50 free lawns mowed for people in their communities who needed a helping hand, including the elderly, people with disabilities, single parents, veterans, first responders, and active-duty service members. The idea behind The 50 Yard Challenge is similar to the karate belt system: kids start in white, earn orange after 10 lawns, green after 20, blue after 30, red after 40, and finally black after completing 50 lawns. That black shirt represents commitment, compassion, hard work, and finishing what you started.

And the reward goes beyond the shirt. Every young person who completes all 50 lawns earns a brand-new lawn mower, weed eater, and blower to recognize everything they have accomplished. The kids pictured here are just some of the incredible young people who have completed the challenge over the years. To date, more than 6,000 kids across the United States and internationally have stepped up and accepted The 50 Yard Challenge—proving that you are never too young to make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life.

So my question is for every parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, family member, mentor, or friend reading this: What’s stopping the young person in your life from taking The 50 Yard Challenge? There is no time limit, and raking leaves and shoveling snow count too, making it a year-round opportunity to serve. Talk to your kids today about accepting the challenge. You never know how much 50 acts of kindness could change their life—and the lives of the people they serve. Teach them to serve today, and they may become the leaders who change tomorrow—one lawn at a time.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Ryan receives our new collectible pins! Kids can earn these special pins throughout their journey and proudly receive them after completing The 50 Yard Challenge. Ryan earned 9 of our first 20 pins. Some of them are owns for mowing for veterans , first responders and more .You can find more about them and how your kids can earn them on our site . Congratulations again, Ryan , on completing The 50 Yard Challenge Your dedication to serving others has truly set the standard!

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Ryan’s black jacket presentation

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Earning the Black Jacket is about so much more than mowing 50 lawns, it represents commitment, character, service, and the determination to finish what you started. Every lawn mowed for someone in need is another step toward earning something that cannot simply be bought; it has to be earned through hard work and giving back to others. When a young person puts on that Black Jacket, I want them to remember every hot day, every challenge, every person they helped, and every moment they could have quit but chose to keep going. The jacket is a symbol that says, “I made a commitment, I served my community, I didn’t give up, and I finished what I started.” It is something they should wear with pride for the rest of their lives.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Ryan, congratulations again on completing the 50 Yard Challenge! This is something you should be incredibly proud of. You signed up in 2024, and over the last two years, you stayed committed to your goal. There were times when things got difficult and obstacles stood in your way, but you didn’t allow them to stop you. You kept going until the job was finished, and that says a lot about your character, determination, and heart.

Take that same work ethic, patience, and perseverance with you throughout life, and I have no doubt that you’ll be successful in whatever you decide to do. Always remember that success isn’t about how fast you reach the finish line—it’s about having the courage to keep moving when the journey gets hard. “When you start something with purpose, finish it with pride.”

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Meet Ryan

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

🎉 Family, please help me congratulate Ryan of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, on completing our 50 Yard Challenge! Ryan mowed 50 free lawns for the elderly, people with disabilities, single parents, and veterans in his community. What an incredible accomplishment and a great example of giving back! 💪👏

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Family, help me give a BIG welcome to Chance & Camden of Karnes City,Texas. These 2 amazing young leaders have stepped up to take on the 50 Yard Challenge, committing to mow 50 FREE lawns for the elderly, disabled, single parents, and veterans in their community

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Beautiful South Carolina! It’s a privilege to be back in your wonderful state. I’m headed to Mount Pleasant to visit a young man who recently completed our 50 Yard Challenge by mowing 50 free lawns for the elderly, people with disabilities, single parents, and veterans in his community. I’ll have the honor of presenting him with a brand-new lawn mower, weed eater, and blower for completing the challenge! Who will be the next young person from South Carolina to step up, serve their community, and take on the 50 Yard Challenge?