Man on a mission to mow lawns in all 50 states for free stops in Utah

(KUTV) — He's a man on a mission to mow lawns in all 50 states this summer, and on Monday morning Rodney Smith Jr. made his 34th stop in Utah.

Smith says the project started with a conversation with God and a chance moment that happened in Huntsville, Alabama three years ago.

"I came across an elderly man outside mowing his lawn," Smith said. "It looked like he was struggling, so I pulled over and helped him out."

One masters degree in social work and a thousand miles later, Smith is on a journey. This is his second time traveling the country to mow lawns in all 50 states.

"This time I'm doing one state a day, up to about 5 lawns per state," Smith said.

"I can’t walk, and I have a dislocated and degenerative joint disease," said Tomi Austin, of Sandy, whose lawn was serviced Monday morning. "I used to come out with a hoe and dig out all the weeds."

He beats the heat to help others for free.

Only an hour later, and he leaves to take care of the next lawn.

"It hasn’t looked this good in quite a while," Austin said.

Smith concluded, "(It) just needed that extra cut to make it stand out even more."

The Alabama A&M graduate founded Raising Men Lawn Care Service, an "ordinary yard maintenance service" that is committed to establishing "an inspiring program to keep our youth (girls & boys) on a positive path while learning and understanding their value in society," according to the RMLCS website.

Smith's charitable lawn care service challenges children to mow the lawns of 50 elderly, disabled, single mothers and veterans in their home town.

"If you accept this challenge," the website states, "all you need to do is send us a photo of you holding a sign saying 'I accept the 50 Yard Challenge,' and in return, we'll send you your white RMLCS shirt along with shades & ear protection to get you started."

For every 10 lawns the children cut, they will receive a new color t-shirt.

To accept the kids' RMLCS challenge, click HERE.

2News will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.