He’s mowing strangers’ lawns in all 50 states
Volunteer is on a mission to help seniors, disabled people, single mothers and veterans with lawn care chores
W earing safety glasses and a purple T-shirt, Rodney Smith Jr. methodically pushed a lawnmower in Linthicum Heights, sending the smell of freshly cut grass into the air.
He grabbed a trash bag from his car for the grass clippings, looked up and squinted toward the sun.
“Is it Tuesday?” he asked. Smith, 28, has been mowing so many strangers’ lawns recently that he’s starting to “forget the days,” he said.
Smith was in Anne Arundel County on Tuesday as part of his mission to mow lawns in all 50 states, free of charge, for seniors, disabled people, single mothers and veterans. It’s the second time he’s attempted the feat for his foundation, Raising Men Lawn Care Service.
Inside their home, Joseph S. Gruzinski, 85, and Mary J. Gruzinski, 84, said they were impressed by Smith’s meticulous lawn-mowing — but even more impressed by the man’s mission.
“He pays a little more attention to [veterans] than the average Joe,” said Joseph Gruzinski, who served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
It’s not the first time Smith has shown up at the Gruzinski home. Mary said she was “shocked” when Smith first came to the couple’s door in 2017 and asked if he could mow their lawn for free. She was thrilled when he returned to the area this year, his 19th stop on a 50-city tour.
“When he talks to the people and he explains what he does, you think, ‘Gee, that’s really wonderful,’”Mary said.
Smith, who was born in Bermuda, was studying computer science at Alabama A&M University in 2015 when he came across an elderly man having difficulty mowing his lawn. Smith helped him out, the first of many lawns Smith would later mow around Alabama.
From there, he started Raising Men Lawn Care Service in 2016 — a national group that encourages young people ages 7 to 17 to give back to their communities in the same way Smith has.
When young people sign up for Raising Men Lawn Care Service’s 50-yard challenge, they receive a white shirt, glasses and ear protection. After every 10 lawns they mow for free, the volunteers receive a different-colored shirt, and after mowing 50 lawns, Smith or someone from the organization will visit the volunteer, cut lawns with them and provide them with a brand new lawnmower.
Adozen people have already received the lawnmower, Smith said, and 130 are currently taking part in the challenge.
In 2017, Smith made the same tour around the country, logging15,000 miles in acar as he drove to 48 states and flew to Alaska and Hawaii to mow lawns. This time around, he is hoping to meet some of the young people who have accepted the 50-yard challenge and educate children on lawnmower safety and community service.
Smith’s car is stuffed with mowing equipment — a weed whacker, a leaf blower, trash bags — provided by engine maker Briggs and Stratton, which has also contributed funds to help him with his travels. He stays in hotel rooms around the country sponsored by donors and uses See LAWNS, page 4
He grabbed a trash bag from his car for the grass clippings, looked up and squinted toward the sun.
“Is it Tuesday?” he asked. Smith, 28, has been mowing so many strangers’ lawns recently that he’s starting to “forget the days,” he said.
Smith was in Anne Arundel County on Tuesday as part of his mission to mow lawns in all 50 states, free of charge, for seniors, disabled people, single mothers and veterans. It’s the second time he’s attempted the feat for his foundation, Raising Men Lawn Care Service.
Inside their home, Joseph S. Gruzinski, 85, and Mary J. Gruzinski, 84, said they were impressed by Smith’s meticulous lawn-mowing — but even more impressed by the man’s mission.
“He pays a little more attention to [veterans] than the average Joe,” said Joseph Gruzinski, who served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
It’s not the first time Smith has shown up at the Gruzinski home. Mary said she was “shocked” when Smith first came to the couple’s door in 2017 and asked if he could mow their lawn for free. She was thrilled when he returned to the area this year, his 19th stop on a 50-city tour.
“When he talks to the people and he explains what he does, you think, ‘Gee, that’s really wonderful,’”Mary said.
Smith, who was born in Bermuda, was studying computer science at Alabama A&M University in 2015 when he came across an elderly man having difficulty mowing his lawn. Smith helped him out, the first of many lawns Smith would later mow around Alabama.
From there, he started Raising Men Lawn Care Service in 2016 — a national group that encourages young people ages 7 to 17 to give back to their communities in the same way Smith has.
When young people sign up for Raising Men Lawn Care Service’s 50-yard challenge, they receive a white shirt, glasses and ear protection. After every 10 lawns they mow for free, the volunteers receive a different-colored shirt, and after mowing 50 lawns, Smith or someone from the organization will visit the volunteer, cut lawns with them and provide them with a brand new lawnmower.
Adozen people have already received the lawnmower, Smith said, and 130 are currently taking part in the challenge.
In 2017, Smith made the same tour around the country, logging15,000 miles in acar as he drove to 48 states and flew to Alaska and Hawaii to mow lawns. This time around, he is hoping to meet some of the young people who have accepted the 50-yard challenge and educate children on lawnmower safety and community service.
Smith’s car is stuffed with mowing equipment — a weed whacker, a leaf blower, trash bags — provided by engine maker Briggs and Stratton, which has also contributed funds to help him with his travels. He stays in hotel rooms around the country sponsored by donors and uses See LAWNS, page 4
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