This is such a COOL thing that Zalen & Liam busted butt all Summer to finish, that I had to share it!!! The guys are actually due to receive National recognition from the founding charity behind the 50 Yard Challenge some time today. They both plan to stay involved with this program & act as Mentors to others that decide to pay-it-forward to former Military, Seniors & those In Need as well….
Sioux Falls Brothers Complete 50 Yard Challenge, Mowing More Than 50 Lawns Free for Neighbors in Need
Zalen and Liam Heckel turn summer lawn care challenge into a lesson in service, hard work and community connection
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — September 11, 2026 — What started as a summer challenge for two Sioux Falls brothers became an opportunity to meet neighbors, hear their stories and make a difference—one lawn at a time.
Zalen and Liam Heckel have officially completed the Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service 50 Yard Challenge, mowing more than 50 lawns free of charge between June and August for veterans, elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, single and foster parents, and others in need throughout the Sioux Falls area.
The brothers were among six other Sioux Falls-area youth who participated in the challenge this summer.
The national 50 Yard Challenge, created by Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service, encourages young people ages 8–17 to mow 50 lawns free for people who could use a helping hand. The program is designed not only to meet practical needs but also to help young people develop leadership, discipline, respect and a heart for serving others.
For Zalen, one of the greatest rewards wasn’t reaching lawn number 50—it was the people he met along the way.
“My favorite part of the challenge was having something really memorable to do this summer while getting to know my neighbors and serving my community,” said Zalen Heckel. “I loved meeting new people and hearing their stories. We also got to help other kids participating in the challenge by sending lawn referrals their way. I want to keep serving this fall by raking leaves and helping other kids learn how they can complete the challenge too.”
For Liam, the experience brought a new understanding of the needs that can exist just a few houses or blocks away.
“My favorite part was being able to help people who really needed it and knowing that mowing their lawn could take a burden off their plate,” said Liam Heckel. “I especially loved hearing stories from veterans and elderly people. The challenge was hard work, but we’re proud that we finished it and were able to help so many people.”
More Than Mowing
Some of the most memorable lawns came through referrals from the Whittier Neighborhood Association, which helped connect the boys with residents needing assistance.
Several properties required much more than a quick pass with a mower. The boys encountered severely overgrown yards and spent time mowing front and back lawns, trimming, pulling weeds, clearing debris and helping restore properties for residents who were unable to complete the work themselves.
Those early experiences helped Zalen and Liam understand why the challenge mattered.
Along the way, their family also connected with organizations and community groups, including Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls and the Whittier Neighborhood Association, while helping direct additional lawn referrals to other local youth participating in the challenge.
The national program encourages siblings and friends to work together and specifically identifies the experience as an opportunity for young people to meet neighbors they otherwise may never have known.
From 15 Lawns to More Than 50
In July, when Dakota News Now first shared Zalen and Liam’s story, the brothers had completed approximately 15 lawns and were still working toward their goal. View Dakota News Now’s July feature on Zalen and Liam
They kept going.
Through the heat of the summer and weeks of mowing, trimming and cleanup, they surpassed 50 lawns by the end of August. Completing the challenge wasn’t always easy. Some lawns required mowing during summer days when temperatures reached around 100 degrees, making an already physically demanding job even more challenging. Despite the heat, long days and difficult overgrown properties, Zalen and Liam were determined to keep going. They set a goal to complete all 50 lawns before returning to school and continued mowing, trimming and serving throughout the summer until they reached it.
For the boys, finishing the challenge became about more than earning the final milestone—it was about following through on a commitment they made to their community and to the neighbors counting on their help.
Now, rather than viewing lawn number 50 as the end, the brothers hope their experience encourages more Sioux Falls-area youth to find practical ways to serve.
Zalen and Liam plan to continue helping residents through fall yard cleanup, including leaf raking and blowing, and hope to encourage and mentor other young people interested in completing the challenge.
The 50 Yard Challenge also continues beyond summer: qualifying service can include mowing, raking leaves, picking up trash and snow shoveling.
About the 50 Yard Challenge
The 50 Yard Challenge is an initiative of Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on empowering young people through service. Participants provide free lawn care to elderly residents, people with disabilities, single parents, veterans and others in need. Youth progress through milestone shirts for every 10 lawns completed, ultimately earning a black shirt after reaching 50 lawns.
Learn more about the 50 Yard Challenge
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