Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
NewsCut
Bob Collins

50 states, 50 lawns

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Let's hit the "Because it's Friday" file:

Rodney Smith Jr., an Alabama A&M student, thinks the path to a better life for people is behind a lawnmower.

“In 2015, I saw an elderly man outside cutting his grass, and it looked like he was struggling,” Smith, originally from Bermuda, tells Atlas Obscura. “From that day on, I decided to cut grass free for the elderly, disabled, single-parent mothers, and veterans.”

He started Raising Men Lawn Care Service in Huntsville, Ala., which uses kids age 7 to 17 to mow the lawns of people who can't.

It became a big hit in Alabama so now Smith has set a goal of mowing lawns in all 50 states.

“I was in my internship one day, and I was on my lunch break, and I came across a video on Netflix of this guy traveling the world, performing acts of kindness. That sparked the idea for ‘50 States, 50 Lawns,’” says Smith.

So he's on the road .

According to his Facebook page, he toured the Briggs and Stratton plant in Milwaukee this morning, plans to mow a lawn in Louisville tomorrow morning and one in Michigan on the weekend.