By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
A summer's worth of good deeds was rewarded last Thursday when Rodney Smith, Jr. with We Are Raising Men arrived in Great Bend to give Branson Holinde a new lawnmower, leaf blower, and weed eater. The 12-year-old Holinde accepted the 50 Yard Challenge last June and spent a hot summer mowing yards for those who could not do it themselves. He said he's ready to do it all again.
"First, you have a small, easy lawn," he said. "Then you have those big, hard lawns that are so satisfying. You get them done knowing you just mowed a huge lawn for someone that can't do it themselves."
The 50 Yard Challenge is for any boy or girl aged 8-17. Participants can earn anything from a shirt for 10-40 lawns, and those who reach 50 lawns get a special black shirt along with the new equipment. Holinde planned to donate his earnings to Youth Crew so more kids could use the equipment to help those in need. Youth Crew staff wanted Holinde to keep his rewards, but Holinde plans to put it to good use next summer.
"It was really fun," he said. "The only challenging part is - it's not really a challenge - but the heat in the summer. That's the challenging part. Just stay hydrated."
Holinde mowed lawns for single parents, the elderly, veterans, and others who needed assistance. According to the We Are Raising Men website, nearly 5,000 kids in eight countries have completed the 50 Yard Challenge. Kansas ranks 12th among U.S. States, and Holinde is one of 148 Kansas kids to complete the challenge. Read more about the challenge or sign up by CLICKING HERE.
