Main fundraiser photo

Dad's "Angels in the Outfield"

Donation protected
To me, a rich man is not gauged by the volume in his bank account, rather it is by the love in his heart, the compassion he has for others, and the family he has built and cared for unconditionally.

Rick White, a devoted husband of 38 years, loving father of 4, diehard Giants fan, provider and family man, has just been diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. Doctors say the only way to prolong his life more than a few months is to endure chemo, which may give him a few more precious months to spend with his family and make the best memories possible with the time we have. Surgery is not an option due to the progression of the aggressive cancer, and with devastation and a heavy heart, it pains my family to even say the words: His diagnosis is terminal and we’re now faced with not being able to cure the disease, but having the opportunity to prolong his life. Over the past two and a half years, he has had multiple health issues, with cancer being the most recent and devastating. A year ago he had a terrible fall which eventually required shoulder surgery in December. Two years ago he had urgent triple bypass heart surgery after being hospitalized for pneumonia and finding out he had suffered a silent heart attack. Also, he is in a daily battle with controlling diabetes. It has been his lifelong dream to go to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York—a simple dream that you can help make happen. With your support, we can make this dream a reality. You truly can be one of Dad’s “Angels in the Outfield.”

Through all of this, Dad’s main concern has been my mother and our family. He has always been the provider, and as such, he is less concerned about himself and more so with the welfare of his wife and family. That’s the type of man he is. One I’ve been lucky to call my dad for the last 30 years. These medical bills have taken their toll, and we're asking for your help to realize Rick's lifelong dream. Help him get the treatment he needs to give him the time he needs to get to Cooperstown to see the Baseball Hall of Fame. A simple dream that you can help make happen. I’d like to help give him peace of mind (and some fun too) and am hoping the community of lives my mother and father have touched over the years will find it in their hearts to help us achieve this goal for them.

He’s always been a quiet leader and philanthropist in the community, never doing it for recognition. Rick is a man that gives because it is in his nature. He loves because his heart is the size of the San Francisco Bay, and now we are trying to give back. I know I am blessed to have spent the last 30 years being able to call this great man “Dad.” Through all his actions, kind words of wisdom, witty jokes (even the inappropriate ones), sarcasm, belly laughs, loving support and all around unconditional love and understanding—he truly is the greatest man I’ve ever met. He’s shown me what it means to love and how a man should care for his family. My cousin, his niece, said it best, “The level of love and commitment he’s shown to his wife and family is something I wished I had in a father, and something I hope to find in a husband. His loved ones come first and are always very clearly cherished.” I have been lucky enough to experience it all; however, he’s never done it for recognition or out of a sense of obligation. He strived to be the best man he could be for our family and the community for the purest of reasons: simply because he wanted to. That is just the man that Rick White is.

Rick moved his family from the Bay Area in 1983 to Lake County to manage and help with the opening of Piedmont Lumber. He grew this company from 20 employees to almost 100 jobs. Unfortunately, economic downturn forced the owners of the company into bankruptcy in 2010, and it was later acquired by Mendo Mill. But my dad didn’t just give up. Instead, Rick championed the cause to bring as many of his Piedmont employees with him to Mendo Mill as he could.

During the 32 years in Lake County, he has been an integral part of the community. He has donated time, money, materials, and merchandise to countless youth groups, sports leagues, and many other charities over the years. One of his main passions, baseball, is where he’s been the biggest supporter, sponsoring over 60 Little League Baseball teams. Not only has he sponsored teams, he’s taught them life lessons through baseball and teamwork. My older brothers and I were fortunate enough to call him coach. Of course being the huge fan he is, he’d make sure we were always the GIANTS.

It has been my dad’s lifelong dream to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He was born a Giants fan and he raised a family of Giants fans. I’m asking this wonderful community of family, friends, coworkers, colleagues and anyone who is fortunate enough to have a wonderful, strong man in their life, to help make this dream a reality. If you don't like baseball, that's okay. Some of the funds will also be used to offer some peace of mind with medical bills and the expenses which have piled up over the last couple years, devastating my mom and dad’s finances. We thank all of you for your help and support, however large or small it may be. Every bit gets him a little closer…

I ask each of you to join my dad’s team and become one of his “Angels in the Outfield."
Donate

Donations 

  • Rod & Deanne Rose Padel
    • $100
    • 9 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Mallory White
Organizer
Kelseyville, CA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee