The Spark and the Flame

Hands of Hope Allegany County gathered at UPMC Western Maryland last year to present a check to support Cancer patients with vital medication, nutritional supplements, and everyday expenses. Danny Benson (third from left) joined his fellow officers in the organization, Rocky Stafford (left), Marc Bochy (second from left), and Donna Stafford (right). Not pictured are Greg Boyd, Melissa Boyd, and Wayne Conklin.

In philanthropy, one truth stands out: nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. When those efforts come together, they create an unstoppable wave of support. In the WMHS Foundation community, that wave is powered by people like Danny Benson.

Danny has spent more than a decade lifting others up through community fundraisers. “I get paid in hugs and smiles,” he says. Recently, his focus has been supporting patients and caregivers at UPMC Western Maryland, especially in the Dialysis Unit.

Last year, Danny joined the Western Maryland Kidney Warriors’ Kidney Walk to support those battling kidney disease, particularly his friends Judy, Jamie, and Junior. He had no idea that within six months, he would be facing dialysis himself. This year, he returns to the walk as a patient, walking in memory of Judy and Jamie while continuing to raise funds because he knows firsthand how much community support matters. “The quality here at UPMC is top notch,” he says.

Danny is a key member of Hands of Hope Allegany County, a nonprofit where each volunteer brings a deeply personal mission to the table. “Chief Operating Officer Rocky Stafford continues to generously support Children’s Hospital because his grandson had such excellent care there as a baby,” Danny shares.

For years, Danny’s personal focus areas were the Relay for Life and the Alzheimer’s Association—causes he adopted simply because he saw someone else in his network hurting.

During his 26-year career at Walmart, senior management recognized Danny as a “spark” in the community. He didn’t have a lot of extra money to give, but he possessed something much more valuable: the ability to spark the generosity of others. When a co-manager shared that her mother was battling Alzheimer’s and asked for help, Danny didn’t hesitate. He rallied the store, the local community, and eventually the corporation. Together, they didn’t just raise dollars—they leveraged large sums for very worthwhile causes. His fundraising gift eventually landed him on a regional committee, all while he continued to support his local store family as a door greeter, receipt checker, and produce and floral associate.

Years ago, he launched a Facebook fundraiser for his birthday—Danny’s Community of Friends and Family. It has since become a reliable source of support for local causes. This year, he is donating $4,000, split between the UPMC Western Maryland Dialysis Unit and Hands of Hope. “I just let my friends and family know what I need,” he says, “and they take care of it.”

Through Hands of Hope and his association with Lavale Walmart Store 2027, Danny has supported national organizations and local needs—from cancer research to flood victims to education and healthcare. Danny Benson’s life is proof that ordinary people can create extraordinary impact. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark.

Join Danny at this year’s Kidney Walk on May 31 at Allegany College of Maryland. Proceeds support patients and caregivers in the UPMC Western Maryland Dialysis Unit. Registration begins at 1 pm; the walk runs from 2–4 pm. Read all about it on the organization’s facebook page.