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Lawnmower in hand, Bryson Cope is ready to make a positive influence on some lives in Davie County.

He is the newest Ambassador of Respect (AoR) for Davie County as part of the Davie Respect Initiative. He is one of three awardees receiving $1,000 for the quarter ending March 31.

His winning project involves participating in the Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service (RMLCS) – 50 Yard Challenge.  In this challenge, Bryson will cut 50 lawns free for the elderly, disabled, single parents, veterans or anyone in need of help in Davie.

“Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service is the union of an ordinary yard maintenance service and the commitment to establish an inspiring program to keep our youth on a positive path while learning and understanding their value in society,” Rodney Smith, founder of RM/WLCS.

As Bryson said: “It is nice to be part of Rodney’s team because just one act of kindness can change someone’s life forever.  Rodney’s program makes it possible for me to help someone else.”

Giving back and paying it forward is a family value.  In 2017, Bryson’s 4-year-old younger sister died due to heart, lung and kidney disease. The family was living in Kannapolis and lost their house and all their savings trying to cover the huge medical expenses.

Kenya, Bryson’s mother, moved the family to Davie County where her brother lived. She learned about Family Promise, which provided their family of six with transitional housing for three months, meals and training for Kenya to become certified as a substitute teacher.

Family Promise assisted with the family moving to an apartment where they lived for two years and were still receiving government assistance. During this time, Kenya completed her EMT training and she is an emergency medical technician and volunteers at Center Volunteer Fire Department and the Davie County Rescue Squad.

In November 2021, the family moved into their own house and no longer receives any government assistance.

Bryson, who is now in eighth grade, is also a junior firefighter.

Bryson and Kenya learned about the Davie Respect Initiative from Family Promise and Kenya says they are always looking for ways to give back. She hopes that their story may inspire others going through hard times.

Mayor Will Marklin presented Bryson with his $1,000 check from the DRI as well as a wooden hand carved plaque that says, “Respect Matters.”

At the ceremony held in Mocksville Town Hall, Bryson shared words of wisdom: “Don’t quit, even if it gets hard, don’t quit,” and when asked why he applied to the DRI challenge, “I thought it would be cool to help others.”

If you are an older adult, veteran, going through a hard time and need your lawn mowed for free, contact Bryson through his mother Kenya Blum at 704 224-6321.

For more information about the Davie Respect Initiative, to nominate a young person who is spreading respect, or to complete an application, visit www.davierespect.com.