Via Upworthy:
When Rodney Smith Jr. learned that an elderly woman in his community was mowing her own lawn, he wasn’t about to let that fly.
“We did this sweet lady’s lawn today,” the Alabama man wrote on Facebook, in addition to posting the photo below. “She is 93, the neighbors told us that she been out [there] trying to cut her own lawn.”
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The sweet photo began to spread, fast.
Since it was posted on April 23, 2016, the image has been Liked by 1 million people and shared more than 175,000 times.
“So proud of you guys,” wrote one commenter.
“Bless her,” wrote another. “Good work, fellas.”
Clearly, Smith’s photo is tugging at heartstrings both in and far beyond his Alabama community.
Smith is the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service, a group that’s lending a hugely helpful hand to neighbors in need.
Smith, a student at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, launched his organization so elderly folks, single parents, and people with disabilities — those who may not “have the time, resources and/or money to manicure their yards” — could still have well-kept lawns free of charge.
“The typical response is tears of joy,” he told Upworthy of his group’s impact.
Since it launched in December 2015, the group of about 20 young people have mowed over 300 lawns, according to Smith.
As Smith notes on the Raising Men’s Facebook page, the group’s not just about helping others, either — it’s about helping the youth who get involved as well:
“I want to restore the importance and understanding of giving back to the community. I want to show our children (our future) that by helping others they too will receive a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, moral value, and purpose in themselves.”
Folks in Smith’s community may even return home to a sweet surprise without having signed up for the service.