How a Pay It Forward Moment Could Improve a Senior’s Life

In 1999, Catherine Ryan Hyde’s book Pay It Forward took the nation by storm. It quickly became a bestseller and was soon turned into a movie picture starring Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment.

Senior Care in Fairfax VA: Pay It Forward

The book revolved around a middle schooler assigned to create something that would change the world for the better. He comes up with a simple plan. He does a favor for three people and instead of accepting payment, he simply asks those people to pay it forward. Soon, the number of people that are paying it forward has multiplied.

In real life, the book’s message also caught on. You started hearing about people paying for the coffees or meals of others in line at restaurants and coffee shops. One man has recently started his own campaign that is all about giving back.

Meet Rodney Smith, Jr.

Rodney Smith, Jr. watched an elderly man struggling to cut his lawn. This led to his mission. He wanted to mow 40 lawns and help out those who most needed it. After 40 lawns, he realized it wasn’t enough.

He left his home in Alabama earlier in the year with a simple mission. He is traveling around the United States and mowing lawns for people in need. He’s focusing on elderly, disabled, veterans, and single mothers. He mows their lawn for free. He aims for three yards per state and wanted others to join his mission with Raising Men Lawn Care Service.

One of his goals with this project has already come true. He wanted to get kids to look around and help out in their community. Eight chapters around the U.S. were formed. The kids in those chapters accepted the 50-Yard-Challenge and are mowing at least 50 yards for people who are elderly, single moms, vets, or disabled.

As of July 2018, 2,000 lawns have been mowed. The program has expanded to run year-round and include raking and shoveling.

What Could You Be Doing to Help?

Get your kids involved in We Are Raising Men. It’s easy to join. Hold up a sign accepting the challenge. Your child gets a t-shirt, sunglasses, and ear protection. With every 10 lawns mowed, a new t-shirt is sent. When 50 lawns are completed, the final black t-shirt is sent out.

You can help out without even being part of this challenge. Look around your neighborhood. Are there seniors struggling to keep up with yard work? Is your parent struggling? Jump in and help out. Mow your mom and dad’s lawn, help clear gutters, and weed gardens for them.

If your parents are struggling with indoor chores, caregivers are essential. Caregivers can help with laundry, housework, and meal preparation. Call a home care agency to learn more about these and other services offered by caregivers in your area.

Are you or a loved-one considering Senior Care in Winchester City, VA?  Please call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. Contact: 703-273-8818

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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