Las Cruces girl rewarded for mowing 50 yards for residents in need
Natoria Martinez is the only child from New Mexico and the second female in the country to complete Rodney Smith Jr.'s 50-yard lawn-mowing challenge.
Las Cruces girl rewarded for mowing 50 yards for residents in need Natoria Martinez is the only child from New Mexico and the second female in the country to complete Rodney Smith Jr.'s 50-yard lawn-mowing challenge. Check out this story on ruidosonews.com: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/community/2019/07/08/las-cruces-girl-rewarded-complete-50-yard-lawn-mowing-challenge/1674347001/
Jacqueline Devine, Las Cruces Sun-News Published 5:46 p.m. MT July 8, 2019 | Updated 5:48 p.m. MT July 8, 2019
LAS CRUCES — While some kids were cooped up inside watching television or playing video games this summer, 10-year-old Natoria Martinez, of Las Cruces, was outside mowing lawns.
In fact, Martinez mowed 50 lawns, completing the 50-yard challenge started by Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service, a nonprofit in Huntsville, Alabama.
Martinez, who is starting fifth grade in the fall, is the only child from New Mexico and only the second female in the country to complete Smith's 50-yard challenge.
MORE: 9-year-old Las Cruces girl takes on 50-yard challenge
As a reward, Smith presented Martinez with a brand new lawnmower, weed wacker and leaf blower at the Las Cruces Codes Enforcement Department, 550 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Monday, July 8. In turn, Martinez donated the lawn-care equipment to Codes Enforcement to inspire other people and children to volunteer with the Golden Shield Yard Assistance Program of Las Cruces.
Natoria Martinez, 10, stands with Las Cruces Codes Enforcement Officer Rudy Adame, left, and Rodney Smith Jr., right, founder of Raising Men Lawn Care service. Natoria recently completed RMLC's challenge to mow 50 lawns and was awarded Monday, July 8, 2019. (Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)
The city's GSYAP program was created in 2015 to provide yard care for citizens over the age of 60 whose circumstances make it difficult for them to maintain a yard. Volunteers care for the yards at no charge to the homeowner.
MORE: Program provides free lawn care for Las Cruces senior citizens
Raising Men Lawn Care service is a similar program. Smith started it to keep youth (boys and girls) on a positive path while learning and understanding their value in society. RMLS encourages youth across the nation to provide free lawn care to elders, those who are disabled, single mothers and veterans who do not have the time, resources and/or money to maintain their yards.
'She's a superstar'
Natoria Martinez, 10, presented Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men Lawn Care, a nonprofit in Huntsville, Alabama, with some baked cookies as a gift, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Las Cruces. (Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)
Martinez said she started the challenge two years ago and completed her 50th lawn two weeks ago.
"It feels good to complete the challenge because it helps reach my goal and change the world to be better," Martinez said. "It makes me feel happy for the people since they can't do it and they have nobody, but they have the Codes Enforcement to help them."
Smith said he is proud of Martinez for achieving her goal. He said he traveled to Las Cruces from Abilene, Texas, where he honored other children, and was on his way to Salt Lake City, Utah.
RELATED: Things to do in Las Cruces this summer for kids
"She's a superstar. She worked hard for over two years to complete the goal. Every summer she's out there working very hard for her community," Smith said. "It's a beautiful thing to see."
Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men Lawn Care, a nonprofit in Huntsville, Alabama, presented Natoria Martinez, 10, with a black T-shirt she earned for mowing 50 lawns, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Las Cruces. (Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)
Smith said he was inspired to create his organization after he saw an elderly man struggle to mow his lawn.
"I pulled over to help him out," he said. "That one act of kindness is what brought this whole organization together."
Martinez said she is happy to be a role model for other young children in the community and encourages them to go out and volunteer.
"They should socialize and be an adventurer," she said.
Be a client of volunteer
Natoria Martinez, 10, opens gifts she received from Rodney Smith Jr., founder of Raising Men Lawn Care service, as Las Cruces Codes Enforcement Officer Rudy Adame stands watch, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Las Cruces. (Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)
Rudy Adame, codes enforcement officer, said anyone interested in volunteering for GSYAP has several options.
"You can call the Munson Senior Center through the volunteer network program or call the codes office," Adame said. "We'd be more than happy to put on you on our list as a client or volunteer. It is amazing to see such an amazing young lady for what she's doing. Natoria is an exemplary type of role model for other kids."
For information, visit www.las-cruces.org/1293/Golden-Shield-Yard-Assistance or call 575-528-4100. You can also email Adame at RAdame@las-cruces.org or Jesus Aguirre at jeaguirre@las-cruces.org.
Jacqueline Devine can be reached at 575-541-5476, JDevine@lcsun-news.com or @JackieIsDevine on Twitter.
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