Rodney Smith, Jr., started mowing lawns quite by accident, after noticing an elderly man struggling with the chore. Smith stopped to help and simply hasn’t quit. An act of kindness has become a nation-wide campaign. Smith, an Alabama native, plans to visit all 50 states, mowing a lawn for a public servant. This will be the 16th time he’s made such a tour.
Later this month, he will visit Columbus on his latest tour with plans to cut the lawn of a volunteer firefighter.
Cutting a lawn is mostly a symbolic gesture. Lawns don’t stay cut for long, after all.
The more meaningful outcome lies in encouraging young people to serve in their community through his “Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service” and the 50-yard challenge. The challenge invites young people to mow 50 lawns at no charge for the elderly, disabled, single parents or veterans. Enrolled participants receive free T-shirts for every 10 yards serviced and a weed eater and mower upon completion.
More than 5,000 kids have participated in the program.
Convincing kids to participate in community service, not as a one-time effort but on a continuing basis is the most important element of Smith’s work. What we do repeatedly over time becomes a practice. Those who learn the value of helping others at an early age are likely to continue volunteering throughout their lives.
Mowing a lawn is just one of any number of ways kids can get involved in community service, from helping out in an animal shelter to feeding the homeless, participating in civic clubs, church or scouting volunteer projects. The rewarding feeling one gets from volunteering is something they won’t forget and something that can and should be learned at an early age.
Today’s parents are constantly looking for activities for their children that don’t involve smartphones and computers. Community service is a great alternative.
It can also be a lot of fun. Not every kid will enjoy cutting a lawn or serving meals. Parents should look for volunteer projects that align with their child’s interests and personality.
And, of course, leading by example is a powerful way to create a culture of community service in the home.
We believe that serving others makes our children better citizens. It’s no accident that colleges often consider a potential student’s community service in the admissions process or that companies often organize community service projects to promote teamwork and esprit de corps among their employees.
Through his example and his encouragement, Smith is doing something far more important than cutting lawns. He’s helping make better kids and better communities.
Of all the things we want our children to learn, we believe kindness ranks near the top.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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