“When I was his age” is a phrase usually followed by a negative comment about how much harder life was for the person speaking or how much tougher the world was.

You know, the “I-had-to-walk-10-miles-through-the-snow-and-uphill-both-ways-to-get-to-school” type of comment.

The truth is, every generation has its challenges, and the best of the best rise above the issues or through the crises of life.

Ten-year-old Hunter Smith is one young man who has shown he has some talent and willingness to help others that will stand this test of time. At 10 years of age, Hunter has already stepped up to make his community a better place to live.

With a subtle nudge from his mother, Hunter became aware of an opportunity called the 50-Yard Challenge. It is a national program run by a nonprofit that requires kids 7- to 17-years-old to voluntarily go out and help their neighbors, who might need some assistance with maintaining their property.

The Raising Men Lawn Care Service encourages youth to give of themselves through community service, a lesson that you are never too young or too old to learn and practice.

Hunter accepted the challenge this summer and completed his goal of mowing 50 yards for persons who needed his help.

Our words of appreciation and support for Hunter are sincere. But to further back our talk, we will be sending him a gift card to help defray his cost of gasoline in his endeavor.

His long-range goal is to be an engineer, and someday an engineering firm will be proud and fortunate to have such a good citizen on its staff.

This 10-year-old offers the world an image that should be captured for all generations to look at, and we hope they say, “Wow, I wish I had that kind of service-minded attitude when I was young.”

But the same as Hunter proves you are never too young to start, let us point out that you are also never too old, either.

Make your neighborhood a better place by giving to others, whether it is time, talent or possessions. Let your light shine as Hunter’s does.

Mr. Hunter Smith, you make us all proud.

— RV