The Inside Scoop

Rodney Smith Jr. is one who inspires us all to be good neighbors. Not only has Rodney achieved his Masters in Social work from Alabama A&M, but he has been hard at work serving others by chugging away on his lawn mower helping those in need. His inspiring organization called Raising Men Lawn Care Service reaches and inspires tens of thousands across the nation and world-wide. For those who don’t know of Rodney, he’s one of those people you must know, because he’s a real life super hero. How Rodney encourages the youth to get out there and serve others is true calling and accurately defines the meaning of loving your neighbor.

In June of 2020, I had the honor of sitting down with Rodney to get to know him a little more. Below is my interview.

I heard you grew up in Bermuda. What was it like growing up in there?

It's a small Island surrounded by water, so you're limited in what you could do there.

At what age did you move to Huntsville?

I came to Huntsville around the age of 20, right after finishing up high school in New York and then attending college in Ft. Lauderdale Florida.

Do you have family in the area?

My aunt still lives here, and my grandmother once lived here too, but she has passed away. My dad flies between here and Bermuda.

Tell me more about your non-profit organization for those who may not know.

The organization I have is called Raising Men Lawn Care Service, where kids nation and world-wide take on the challenge of mowing 50 lawns for free. The people we provide free lawn care to are: the elderly, disabled, single parents, and veterans. If a kid wants to participate in this they just create a sign that says, “I Have Accepted the 50 Yard Challenge”. Then they’ll receive their t-shirt, safety googles, and ear protection in the mail. The t-shirt system works like the Karate Belt: It starts off with a white shirt, 10 yards is orange, 20 is green, 30 is blue, 40 is red, and 50 is black. After they complete all 50 yards, I’ll drive to deliver a new mower, weed eater, & blower to them. It’s steadily growing as this is largest amount of kids this year that has accepted the challenge.

What is your favorite thing about Huntsville?

The people. The city is so diverse, and the people of this city makes it what it is. It’s a paradise in Alabama

What is the future plans for Raising Men Lawn Care?

To have more kids and start chapters down the road to help more people.

If people want to contribute or donate to your organization, how do they? Because contributing and donating is what makes it possible for you to reach the communities.

If you want to donate go to our website at We Are Raising Men

I encourage if they can, to go to our Amazon wish list where we have the items we’re in need of: lawn Mowers, weed eaters, and blowers. People buy these items and have them sent to my house. When each kid is finished with the challenge, I drive to wherever they are and deliver them personally. I’m very grateful to those people who purchase these needed items because without their help, it would all come out of our pocket. It allows us to be able to do what we do.

Amazon Wish list: Amazon Wish List

The inspiration that Rodney and his organization, Raising Men Lawn Care Service creates is a super hero that lives in all of us. We all have the power to love others. Those young super heroes everywhere serving as part of their communities reaching those in need and making a difference one lawn at a time is what it’s all about. Rodney is a true definition of a super hero, compassionate about helping others and being that role model. Rodney and his organization is making the world a better place and inspiring us to love our neighbors, one lawn at a time. Are you ready for the 50-yard challenge?

Any question or need further information? Send me a note.