In a world of outrageous and silly internet challenges, it is nice to see one challenge spreading kindness among neighbors and encouraging a work ethic in youth.
The 50-Yard Challenge is promoted by an Alabama-based nonprofit, Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service. The nonprofit encourages boys and girls nationwide to offer free lawn mowing to people who are disabled, veterans, elderly, and single moms.
The challenge is open to boys and girls anywhere in the United States, ages 8-17.
A Republic boy, Henry Zinter, is the first in our area to sign up for the program. I hope this article spurs more to accept the challenge because this outreach benefits neighbors and rewards youth for their efforts!
Get started with a photo
If a child accepts the challenge, they must send the nonprofit a picture of them holding a sign saying, “I accept the 50 Yard Challenge.” In return, the organization will send the child a shirt, safety glasses, and ear protection.
As participating youth mow yards and document it, the organization sends them a different colored T-shirt for every 10 yards mowed.
Once the child completes the challenge with 50 yards, the founder of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service delivers them a brand-new lawn mower, weed eater, and blower.
Individual donations and sponsoring companies fund the shirts, travel expenses, and mowers.
As of May 2023, there are 4,588 kids taking part in this challenge across the United States. If all of these youths mow 50 yards, that would be 229,400 lawns mowed since 2015. There are youth from all 50 states involved now, too.
Program participants find their own lawns to mow. Youth have done this by posting about their free services on neighborhood Facebook groups and hanging signs around the community.
Youth could also connect with a homeowners association, neighborhood association, or local city government. Those organizations are often responsible for reporting or citing homeowners with unmowed lawns.
If you are a youth organization leader (youth group, boy scout troop, or 4-H club), you could help youth connect to this challenge by ensuring they have a lawn mower to start.
Founder started mowing yards for free in 2015
Rodney Smith Jr. started mowing people's yards for free in 2015. He challenged himself to mow yards at no charge for older adults, single moms, or disabled people.
“I'm capable of cutting grass because I'm young. I'm able. A lot of elderly people are unable,” Smith said during an interview. “My first goal was to reach 40 lawns. But I reached 40 lawns in a month and a half. Two months later, I reached 100.”
Smith graduated from Alabama A&M University with a master's degree in social work. He is originally from Bermuda and started the program while in college, but now it is his full-time work.
Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service is a 501c3 headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.
Smith said he is pleased — and a bit surprised — at how his program is spreading.
“I hope it teaches youth that it is good to give back,” said Smith. “And that it teaches them good morals, how to be a good citizen, and that they can make a difference one lawn at a time.”
One of the keys to the success of this program is that its founder leads by example. In 2017, he took the idea nationwide when he set out to mow at least one lawn for free in all 50 states.
Since then, he has completed 10 U.S. tours, where he raises awareness about the challenge and other local causes. On these tours, Smith stops to cut grass with youth taking the challenge.
More than 100 Missouri youth involved
Over the last several years, 102 youths in Missouri have mowed yards as part of this program. But Zinter appears to be the first from the Springfield area. I am working to coordinate some additional youth in Republic to mow yards.
“If you can do in Republic what you are describing to me on the phone, this could be a real model for other cities,” said Smith by phone. “The idea of having the youth help address yards that would get citations for tall grass otherwise is a great approach.”
The idea of mowing to help a neighbor is not new and not something only youth can do. I am reminded of several “Most Engaged Neighbor” nominations submitted during Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept 28-Oct. 4) in 2022 that had to do with mowing lawns.
For example, Karen Scranton nominated Lyndal Scranton and his friend Jerry for providing lawn care for eight low-income neighbors all summer, free of charge. “This comes out of their wonderful big hearts, and they keep our block looking sharp all season long,” wrote Karen.
Dr. Gwen Burns nominated her neighbors in Battlefield, Cindy and Ray Sullens, when she had to be away from home. “They mowed our yard all summer and have been a lifesaver for my husband and me,” wrote Gwen. “They are the role model for acts of kindness!”
Joan Walker of Bois D'arc nominated her neighbor, Steven Stovall, for caring for her farm and horses while she was away getting medical treatment. “Steve even mowed my 2.5-acre yard every week, which is a big job. He has gone far beyond being a good neighbor. Steve treats all of his neighbors as though they were family,” wrote Joan.
Mowing lawns a good job for a teen
I grew up mowing lawns in my hometown of Ash Grove, Missouri. My dad provided me with a riding and trim mower that I could use to mow other yards if I cut the home lawn when asked.
I mowed 10 yards within a half-mile of my home for seven years. When I started, I was getting $5 cash per yard, which, in 1979, seemed like a fortune!
I cut more than 1,400 yards during that period. I think someone owes me a T-shirt!
Mowing taught me how to run a business and gave me experience with hard work, planning schedules, quality control, customer service, and some mechanics.
That experience makes me love the Raising Men & Women Lawn Mowing Service 50-Yard Challenge even more! Besides being a tangible way for youth to get involved with helping their neighbors, the 50-Yard Challenge also teaches youth the value of hard work. It also provides a valuable service for individuals who often have difficulty mowing their yards.
You can support the program with a donation or learn more about the program on their website or on Facebook.
