RI Community Philanthropist Robbed at WaterFire
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Rick Lindholm, a community philanthropist for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, was robbed during WaterFire this past Saturday.
Lindholm has been riding a stationary bike during WaterFire at Waterplace Park for donations for the past 4 years, raising anywhere from $750-$1,000 a night for his cause.
The two youths who stole Lindholm’s donations fled the scene and one of them was accosted by a homeless man in the area. Authorities were able to help Lindholm recover about $212 after the ordeal.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe crowd who witnessed the ordeal later gave Lindholm more donations for all he had been through.
“I’ve definitely seen the homeless man [who helped me] at Crossroads before,” said Lindholm. “ Officers told me that the homeless people near Waterplace must have seen me there before and were watching out for me, I was [moved] when the man had told police that he was just doing what was right. [He’s] the real hero.”
Lindholm also sits on the LLS’s Board of Trustees as the Vice-Chair. Lindholm's philanthropy also includes competing in marathons, triathlons, and century bike rides to raise money for the organization. An annual charity event is hosted by Lindholm and his wife Sharon, as well, which helped to raise $7,000 this year alone.
"My first reaction was one of anger and disappointment," said Chairperson of the LLS Board of Trustees Bob Van Winter. "He's the type of volunteer who wakes up in the morning and his first thought is about what he can do for LLS, Rick gives so much out of the goodness of his heart.”
Lindholm plans to reach out to the homeless man at the next WaterFire to offer his gratitude and a gift.
For more information about The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and how to donate please visit their site.
Related Articles
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk is Taking Steps to Cure Cancer
- People’s Credit Union Employees Honored By Leukemia & Lymphoma Society