Local 9-year-old Henry Bender is taking part in the 50-yard challenge sponsored by the non-profit organization Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service.
Bender will be mowing, raking and shoveling snow for free for veterans, the disabled, single parents, and anyone else who needs help. After he has helped with 50 yards, Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service will bring him his very own mower, leaf blower and weed eater to start his own lawn care business.
“When my dad told me about it, I was so down for it,” said Bender. “It’s a fun thing to do for people in need.
For every 10 yards, he will get a different color t-shirt until he has reached 50. After each yard, Bender will have to send a photo as proof. The only stipulation is that he cannot receive any money.
Along with help from his grandparents and dad, Henry signed up for the program with just a photo of himself holding a sign that he accepts the 50 yard challenge, and got to work.
While he has completed his first yard, some interruptions have slowed his initial progress, including church camp and needing to repair his mower, as well as dry conditions that haven’t been good for mowing.
The first lawn that Bender mowed was for his grandfather Roger, who was a mechanic for the first infantry division during the Vietnam War.
Despite the interruptions, “he’s in it for the long haul,” according to his grandmother, Mary Bender.
While he lives primarily in Atalissa and goes to school at the West Liberty School District, Bender spends every other week with his grandparents in Wilton.
“He wasn’t able to play baseball for West Liberty or Wilton this year, and needed something to do for the summer,” said Mary. “His dad came across (the program) while scrolling through his phone and Henry was very excited to do it.”
While summer is nearing its end, Henry is glad that the 50-yard challenge isn’t limited to just mowing lawns, and he can also rake leaves, shovel snow, or pick up litter to complete the challenge.
“It’s neat that I can do it all year, so I can rake leaves and scoop snow,” said Henry. “I’ve heard about giving back to the community and I thought this would be a good way to show it.”
If you or someone you know is in need of getting their lawn mowed, or needs help raking leaves or shoveling snow, the best way to get ahold of Henry is to call his grandparents at 563-299-8137.
The 50-yard challenge currently has 4,948 kids across all 50 states and eight countries participating, according to the Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service website.
If you are interested in taking part in the 50 yard challenge, you can find more information about the program at weareraisingmen.com