Coffey Rises To Free Lawn Challenge

Two years ago, now 14-year-old Blain Coffey made the decision to make a difference. And because of that decision, he was paid a visit by Raising Men & Women Lawn Care service founder Rodney Smith Jr., of Alabama this past weekend.

Smith announced his arrival via his company's Facebook page, where he stated Ulysses would be his eighth stop.

"I will be visiting a young man who completed our 50 yard challenge by mowing 50 lawns for free for the elderly, disabled, singled parents and veterans in (Ulysses)," Smith said. "I will be presenting him his brand new lawn equipment for completing it."

Blain and his father, Justin Coffey, were interviewed by Smith on their Facebook page.

"It was fun," Blain said of the challenge. "I learned a lot of new things and I got to help a lot of people."

Blain admitted a couple of the lawns he mowed weren't easy.

"A couple took me awhile and were pretty difficult," he said.

Blain, who said he really likes math and science, told Smith he want to be an aerospace engineer when he grows up.

"I (also) love cooking and baking," Blain said, adding that he can, " cook and bake pretty much anything."

Blain had some advice for anyone thinking about completing the challenge.

"Don't quit," he said. "Don't give up and if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right."

His dad, Justin, said parents of those thinking about completing the challenge should remember their child is not in it alone.

"Not only is the kid doing it, but you're doing it," he said. "You've got to give lots of rides and help them find some lawns, but it is well worth it. It was a great experience for both of us. I think we'll continue (mowing free lawns) even after this."

Justin said he is always looking for ways to help develop his son's character.

"And to help raise him to be a good man," he continued. "This was a perfect opportunity to help teach him some of those character lessons."

Smith said he started the business in 2015, and the idea for it came from one of his own experiences.

"I was walking home from school one day and I came across this elderly man outside mowing his lawn," he said. "It looked like he was struggling, so I pulled over and helped him mow. That night I decided I would start mowing free lawns for the elderly, disabled, single parents and veterans right here in Huntsville, Ala."

At first, Smith said he had a goal of mowing 40 lawns by the end of Winter.

"I mowed 40 lawns so quick I changed my goal to 100," he said. "A month and a half later I had reached my 100th lawn and that's when the idea for Raising Men Lawn Care Service came about."

Smith says later on in his journey, he still mowed lawns for free, but he added more to his plan.

"I included kids ages 7 to 17 to show them the importance of giving back to their community with a lawn mower," he said.

The 50-yard challenge is a challenge Smith's company has issued to  kids not only nationwide,  but also worldwide to mow 50 free lawns in their community. There are levels of achievement. When they have mowed 10 lawns, they receive an orange T-shirt, 20 gets a green one, 30 a blue one, 40 a red and 50 earns them a black one.

"Once they mow 50, I drive to wherever they are in the United States," Smith said. "I will mow lawns with them and I will also give them a brand new mower, weed eater and blower for finishing this 50 lawn challenge."  .

According to the Raising Men Lawn Service Website (now dubbed Raising Men and Women Lawn Service) those who have signed up for the challenge have mowed 25,000 plus lawns for free so far, and there 4,588 kids mowing to date. Smith said they also have kids participating in eight other different countries.

To Smith, his business was the answer to his prayers.

"When I first came out of high school, I went to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to  attend ITT Tech," he said. "During those six months, I had a really bad time. I was trying to adjust to the colors of life and being so far away from my family. Every single day I  was complaining to my mom, 'I want to come home.' I remember just asking God to use me as his vessel. He didn't give me an answer that day, not a month later, not even a year later. It  happened a few years later and even though it took a few years for it to happen, I believe God was building me up for that moment. I am so grateful to be doing something I love every single day."