Story courtesy of Ben Richardson/LOVING
On an ordinary afternoon in late February, tragedy struck the Dangerfield family. While Ben Dangerfield, a harvest operator at LOVING and NextDaySod.com, was hard at work in the fields, his home in Cameron, S.C., was consumed by a devastating fire. By the time the flames were extinguished, all was lost. In an instant, a place that once offered safety and comfort was reduced to ash.
For Dangerfield, who at the time was the sole provider for his household, the loss was not only heartbreaking, it was overwhelming. His disabled grandmother and uncle both relied heavily on their home and Ben’s support. With nowhere to turn and no immediate resources, the situation was dire.
But in the face of tragedy, something remarkable happened.
Within hours of learning about the fire, the LOVING team took action. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Dangerfield and his family with urgent needs like food, clothing, medication, temporary housing and more. The goal was $10,000, but what happened next was nothing short of inspiring.
An industry that shows up
The response from our industry was immediate and heartfelt. Individuals and companies, many who had never met Dangerfield, stepped in to help. Donations poured in from across the country. In just a matter of days, the goal was not only met, but exceeded. The final total raised: $13,316.
“This is what our industry is all about,” says Mike Haynes, founder and CEO of LOVING. “We talk a lot about service, about community — but it’s moments like these that reveal our true character. The fact that so many people came together to support Ben reminds me why we do what we do.”
The road to recovery
Thanks to this support, Dangerfield and his family were able to secure temporary housing, purchase necessities and begin the slow process of recovery. Today, Dangerfield is back at work with LOVING’s farming division in South Carolina, operating harvesters and helping deliver fresh sod to customers across the Southeast. His family is settling into more stable housing, and the road ahead, though still challenging, is no longer as uncertain.
“Ben is one of the hardest-working people I know,” said Jarrett Looper, VP of farming at LOVING. “He shows up every day, puts in the work and never complains. When we heard what happened, it wasn’t even a question — we knew we had to help. And I’m proud that so many others felt the same way.”
For Dangerfield, the experience has been humbling.
“It’s hard to put into words,” he says. “We lost everything. But then, people we didn’t even know stepped in to help us. My family and I will never forget that. We’re so grateful.”
The spirit of community
At LOVING, the word “team” goes beyond job titles — it’s a commitment to each other. And that spirit is reflected across the industry.
“When you work in landscaping and farming, you learn quickly that success depends on people — on trust, grit and generosity,” says Ben Richardson, director of brand and marketing at LOVING. “This moment reminded us all of that. It’s a story of hope, of unity and of what happens when we look out for one another.”
As Dangerfield continues rebuilding, his story stands as a powerful reminder: Even in our hardest moments, we are never alone. And sometimes, the greatest harvest comes not from the soil, but from the hearts of those who show up when it matters most.
