A teen from Chesapeake, VA is helping his community one lawn at a time.
In 2020, 13-year-old Phoenix Brown partook in the 50-yard challenge, Good Morning America reports. The cause is through Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service created by Rodney Smith. The challenge encourages boys and girls between the ages of seven and 17 to cut 50 lawns of grass for the elderly, disabled, single parents, veterans, and those in need without cost.
“This program really has helped him to build confidence,” Phoenix’s mother Joycelene Tetteh said, according to WAVY news. “I think it has helped with his communication skills, his ability to network; all of those things matter in life.”
Phoenix Brown originally had plans to build a computer last summer but after his father, Sheldon Brown, presented the challenge to him, he switched gears to help out his community. Phoenix Brown not only joined the challenge but he surpassed its expectations completing a challenge that typically takes participants up to a year, in only three weeks.
With the tips received from mowing lawns, Phoenix would provide food for the homeless in Norfolk in the summer of 2020. More recently, Phoenix picked up photography and dedicated his time and service to his previous school, Rise Christian Academy.
Phoenix Receives $10,000 Reward
Phoenix’s efforts have now been rewarded by receiving $10,000 from Good Morning America and Honey Bunches of Oats on Dec. 27.
And, it comes as no surprise that Phoenix will dedicate a portion of his reward toward helping his community.
“I’m going to put this [prize] towards my college fund, and some community efforts,” Brown said, according to a Good Morning America video. “I appreciate everybody.”
Phoenix plans to continue the 50-yard challenge and has created a new milestone to mow 500 yards in 2022.
