Many, many years ago I quit my job in lawn care to pursue a career in programming with a local startup. When the boss disappeared with 6 months of my pay I was forced to get back into lawn care. I started by getting a used pro mower and picking up a mowing job here and there. However, I was licensed for pesticide applications from my old lawn care job but I had signed a non-compete agreement for two years. Luckily, that was only about 6 months away after the programming job dried up.

I was going bonkers trying to get everything together to start fertilizing lawns but not only could I not afford a spray rig, I couldn't even afford an extra bag of fertilizer. I asked here if anyone had any options for me, hoping that I could buy a spray rig on time. Our pal dave7378 made me an offer. If I would drive 8 or 9 hours to meet him, I could pick up a spray rig that he was no longer using at his business. I didn't even have a spare tire on my work truck. I picked up a used tire at the junk yard, just in case. Making such a long trip, a blown tire would have otherwise bankrupted me. That must have been 2009.

I made the trip and met Dave. Not only did he give me the spray rig, he helped me load it up and then bought me lunch. That spray rig not only allowed me to get the business rolling, it also saved my house from being forclosed on. I started small, I think my first fertilizer order was 10 bags (500 lbs) but it got things rolling. I used this spray rig up until 2 years ago when I moved completely to ride-on Permagreen spreader/sprayers. I'd consider my business slightly successful now as I have 204 customers. I don't make a lot of money as it's just me running the business and doing all the jobs, but I enjoy my job and I'm happy.

I just wanted to publicly thank Dave and let him know that today, I talked to my chemical supplier and asked if he knew anyone that could use the spray rig. Apparently, a guy a few towns away just broke out on his own and is currently running a backpack sprayer and pushing the fertilizer manually. I offered it to him at no cost, the same amount that Dave charged me.

It ain't the prettiest girl on the dance floor but it runs and doesn't leak. The only thing I changed was the hose (I put a slimmer, longer hose on) and the pump (it gave up after a couple years of use). That old Honda motor still starts on the first pull.





Dave, you blessed me and my family and now hopefully another family can be blessed by your generosity.

Amazing story and really shows why so many members here stick around for the long run. The world would be a better place if we had more people like Sig Forum membership around.

This is one of the ways we fix this world.

A classic case of 'Paying it Forward'... good on you Mark!

This is what makes this place what it is. Thank you for sharing.

Good for you, Mark, and good for you too, Dave!

Great! Thank you for making the world just a little bit better.

What an inspiring story!
Thanks for sharing.

Dave is a credit to the human race. I say this in all sincerity. He's generous to a fault.

"Generous to a fault"

Have you ever given any thought to the meaning of that expression? It means being so generous, it might be to one's detriment; some people might try to take advantage of this generosity.

Fortunately for Dave, he's not only generous, he's savvy. Nobody's going to get over on him. He gives out of the goodness of his heart.

When Dave needed us last year, we were there for him, and when others (myself included) have needed him, he's been there for us.

I know of one particularly generous act of Dave's, that he doesn't want anyone to know about, on behalf of a member of the forum, that would floor most of you.

God puts people in place to help others- not always, but more often than we realize. Dave being here, and what he went through last year, and his then being in a position to offer guidance to others who went through the same- there's a design in that.

Great story of good will.

Very nice. Some much appreciated sunshine in these otherwise generally dark days.

Stuff like this is great to hear and provides hope.

These stories bring a smile to my face

Wow, great story, and congrats on persevering.

This story made my day!

And this is simply a great place to be!

Bravo Zulu to both Dave and Mark.

Yes this place is populated with great folks!

So glad I opened this thread! SIGforum is awesome!

Amazing story, and you paid it forward!
I try to help those that deserve it when I can, and have made some good friends on both sides of it.
Sig Forum is a community of great like minded good people.

I love to hear this. Great to have members like Dave and Mark with us!

The people on this forum are awesome! Can't express it any better.

Terrific story, thanks for sharing.