Kaysville kids mow 50 lawns to serve their neighbors by Karmel Harper | k.harper@mycityjournals.com
W
hile most kids spend their summers swimming in the local pool or lake, playing video games, sleeping in, or hanging out with their friends, 10-year-old Emiline Boldt and 13-year-old Carter Boldt mowed lawns for free for their Kaysville neighbors. Inspired by a March 2021 KSL news story commending a 12-year-old Springville boy for completing a nationwide challenge to mow 50 yards, the Boldts committed to accomplish the same goal. The 50 Yard Challenge, created by the non-profit organization Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service, challenges kids to cut 50 lawns free of charge for the elderly, disabled, single parents, veterans, and anyone else in need of lawn service. Rodney Smith Jr. founded the non-profit in 2016 when he saw a man struggling to mow his lawn in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama. Smith got out of his car and helped him. A June 2018 CBS article states, “That moment inspired him to create the movement.” Smith had a personal goal to mow 50 lawns in 50 states. He completed that goal in 39 days in 2017 by driving to 48 states and flying to Hawaii and Alaska. Smith’s endeavor started incorporating kids into the mission and the 50 Yard Challenge emerged. Kids ages 7-17 sign up for the 50 Yard Challenge on the website www.weareraisingmen.com and send a selfie holding a sign saying, “I accept the 50 Yard Challenge.” In addition to a welcome package that includes shades, ear protection, and a white shirt, kids receive different color shirts for every 10 lawns they mow. Upon completion, the organization gives the kids their final shirt - the prized black shirt - a certificate, and a brand new lawn mower, weed eater, and
blower. There is no time limit to complete the 50 yards. In the Fall and Winter, kids will rake leaves and shovel driveways so the challenge can be completed year round in any climate. The Boldt kids started their challenge on May 7 and completed it on September 4. They mowed lawns on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, often mowing 2 - 3 lawns per day. During the final two weeks of their challenge, Emiline and Carter mowed lawns after school. While Carter had some experience mowing lawns from the previous summer, it was Emiline’s first time. Carter said, “Usually I will do the front and then Emiline will do the back, and then I will edge.” Some lawns only took 30 minutes while others took 90 minutes. ‘You have to mow other people’s lawns but you can mow the same lawns multiple times.You can’t mow your own lawn to count. It has to be a service for others,” said Carter. To take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures in the summer, the kids got up early. Carter said, “It was hot sometimes but we would get up early in the morning at 7 a.m. and start at 8:15 a.m. Sometimes it was really hot and sometimes it was cool. But after school, it was pretty hot.” The kids’ mother, MaryJane Boldt, said, “When Carter saw the KSL article, he presented it to Emiline telling her it was a great way to bond. He was always spearheading this adventure. There were times Emiline waxed and waned throughout the process but she stuck with it and they completed it together. I am proud of them for setting a goal and seeing it through to the end.” Emiline said, “It was probably one of my biggest ac-
Carter Boldt and his sister, Emiline, sport blue shirts while mowing their neighbors’ lawns, signifying that they have mowed 30 yards of their 50 yard goal. Photo courtesy of MaryJane Boldt.
complishments.” The neighbors they served were also incredibly grateful and regularly showed appreciation. Even though the kids will receive brand new lawn service equipment for completing the challenge including a new lawn mower, Carter said, “We didn’t do it for the lawn mower. We did it to serve people.” l
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