WESTLAND, Mich. (WXYZ) — An online Good Samaritan challenge that's gone viral prompted two Westland brothers to offer free lawn mowing to people who can't easily do it themselves.
Now, the nationwide challenge's organizer is headed to metro Detroit to recognize their efforts.
16-year-old Sam and 13-year-old Hunter have mowed 51 lawns for free since April. It's a task most people hate, especially in the summer heat; but Sam loves it. So when his parents told him about the "50 Yard Challenge," it was a no-brainer.
“We get the feeling that we’re helping people who really can’t help themselves," he said.
Rodney Smith, Jr. created the challenge. He's the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service in Alabama.
"Back in 2015, I came across an elderly man outside mowing his lawn. It looked like he was struggling, so I pulled over and helped him out. That night I decided I’ve start mowing free lawns for the elderly, disabled, single parents, and veterans in Huntsville, Alabama," Smith told 7 Action News.
Two brothers from Westland mowed 51 lawns since April FOR FREE. They’re offering help to the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, or anyone who may need some help. It’s all part of the #50YardChallenge, taking place around the country @wxyzdetroit 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/cd0DDMxIYW
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) July 3, 2020
He turned his good deed into a non-profit, and challenges young people around the country through social media to mow 50 lawns in their community for those who need some help— and to do it, for free. They get prizes along the way, and once they hit 50 lawns, Rodney hits the road; he’s making his way to Michigan Friday to offer Hunter and Sam not only a thanks but a lawn mower, weed wacker and blower.
Sam and Hunter’s parents follow Rodney on social media, and put the word out that the boys were in.
It didn’t take long before they were getting requests.
“A lot of neighbors actually were advocating for neighbors they had, that they knew that couldn’t do it. So it was really cool to see the amount of community that came out. The boys have actually made what we think are going to be long lasting relationships with some of these that don’t have contact with the outside world," their mom Keri told 7 Action News.
Fifty other kids from around the country have also completed the challenge, and about 1,000 are in the process of doing it now.
“It’s just great. Especially when things kind of hit, a lot the activities they weren’t able to do anymore. We couldn’t play baseball, we couldn’t go out to school, we couldn’t have activities to actually do," said their dad, Kyle.
They may be helping others, but they boys said they're getting something really important out of the work too.
“It’s heartwarming. We just get to meet nice people that just... that really want to have connections with other people that just can’t really go anywhere," said 13-year-old Hunter.
“They appreciate what we do," Sam told 7 Action News. "I’ll have those people as friends for ever and ever.”
