Help Rich Recover From Heart Surgery

When we were kids, my dad came home from his HVAC job with a bandaged hand. Curious, we asked him what had happened at work. He responded, "I accidentally drilled a sheet metal screw through my hand." We were shocked and, of course, we wanted to see the screw. "Oh, the screw's not there anymore", my dad responded with a laugh. We asked how he had removed it. "I just threw the drill in reverse. No big deal."

My dad, Rich McLain, is the most content, kind, and hardworking man I know. He has worked in the unforgiving line of work of construction over the past four decades. While we enjoy the temperature controlled indoor spaces of Phoenix, Rich is on 110 degree rooftops assembling the ductwork that brings us our cool air. I don't share this to pat him on the back; instead, I want to emphasize the anomaly of a man who never, ever complains... even on those sunbaked rooftops. He worked tirelessly over the summer and chalked the fatigue up to entering his 60th year. And since Rich never complains, it's a bit of a miracle the doctors recognized his heart's issues when they did.

We recently learned that Rich needs to undergo double bypass, open heart surgery on Monday, August 30th. We're confident in the surgeons who are handling the surgery, and we're looking forward to many years with Rich following the recovery. However, the weight of three months of recovery is heavy. Due to the serious nature of this surgery (and subsequent recovery), Rich is not allowed to work for a minimum of three months. Three months of rent. Three months of groceries. Three months of bills. Three months of stress... all of which is antithetical to a healthy heart recovery. On top of all of that, Rich doesn't have PTO or short-term disability to assist with these costs.

Our family has created this GoFundMe to help the man who has taught us everything we know about caring for others. We're looking to raise $15,000 to cover Rich's income and help create a low-stress recovery for his heart. Join us in spreading a bit of joy to the man who shares kindness wherever he goes.