A charity called Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service is the brainchild of Rodney Smith Jr. who in 2015 came up with the idea after seeing an elderly neighbor struggle to mow her lawn.
He helped her but realized there are millions of Americans with the same problem. At the same time there are millions of kids who need structure and a job.
Boys and girls between eight and 17 can sign up for the 50 Yard Challenge, which has them mow 50 yards for people in need in their community. The nonprofit starts them off with ear protection and shades, and after every 10 yards, the kids get a new colored shirt, and after they finish 50, they get a brand new lawn mower, weed eater and blower.
This week Adrian Estrella and Nathan Andrade in San Antonio, Texas became #4999 and 5000 to complete the challenge.
Rodney says a lot of these kids continue to donate some services to the elderly even after they launch their own lawn businesses because they realize how important it is to give back to their community.