SAVANNAH, GA (WSAV) – One man is making his way across the country with his car, lawn mower, blower, and weed eater.
The goal is to hit all 50 states to mow lawns for those who need it most and he’s halfway there. WBTW’s sister station, News 3 in Savannah, Georgia, had a chance to catch up with Rodney Smith Jr., on his 23rd stop in the Coastal Empire.
“50 states, 50 lawns. Where I’m traveling to all 50 states mowing free lawns for the elderly, disabled, single moms and veterans. And also encouraging kids to join our programs,” Smith says.
The best part is, it’s fee.
Rodney Smith Jr., 28, moved from Bermuda, 10 years ago and is the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service. He currently resides in Huntsville, AL, where he recently graduated from Alabama A&M University with a Masters Degree in Social Work. He says he asked God to use him as a vessel but he didn’t know that opportunity would soon come.
“It happened the day I came across an elderly man outside mowing his lawn. It looked he was struggling, so I pulled over. I helped him out [and] at that point, I decided to mow lawns,” he said.
Smith started in 2016. Since then, he’s mowed lawns both nationally and internationally and has built a team of 131 kids in different states and countries to help.
“It’s all a part of God’s plan… I never imagined me mowing lawns,” he says.
Lisa Stevens, who is a single-parent, didn’t expect it either when Smith knocked on her door early Saturday morning. She usually pays every two weeks to get the grass cut but she says this is an expense she doesn’t have to worry about.
“Everything is a struggle, if it’s $10, $12, $25, $100, it’s a struggle. everything is a struggle on a single parent,” she said.
Stevens tells News 3 her daughter in D.C. heard about Smith’s journey and referred her. Stevens smiles as she admits she really didn’t expect Smith to show up.
Smith’s goal is to have chapters of his service in all 50 states and worldwide. He started this journey May 18 and he plans to finish by July 20. He will drive to all 48 states and fly to Alaska and Hawaii. You can refer a veteran, single -mother, elderly person, or disabled for the service. You can follow Smith’s journey and refer people here.
