College Student Starts Free Lawn Service for Elderly

An Alabama A&M student started a free lawn service for the elderly and to teach younger kids about community service.

Rodney Smith, Jr., now runs “Raising Men Lawn Care Service” with “about 20 young men ages 7-17.” They cut lawns for the elderly, disabled, and single mothers.

It all started when he witnessed an elderly man mowing his lawn.

“It looked like he was struggling,” he said. “I was watching him and it just hit me. I could do something about it.”

Smith asked if they knew anyone who needed their lawn mowed. Friends gave him names and he wanted to mow 40 lawns by winter. He found a lawnmower on Craigslist and received it for free when he told the owner why he needed it.

Smith will receive his bachelor’s degree in computer science in May. He hopes to return to school to earn a master’s in social work.

“I want to go back and get my master’s in social work,” he explained. “All of this has made me want to do social work. I love helping people.”

The company visits clients every two weeks to make sure the lawn remains manicured.

“One lady had bone cancer and couldn’t afford to pay someone to cut her grass. So many people have fallen on hard times and it feels good to be able to help them,” he said.