Employees at Real Estate One are rallying around one of their co-workers as he battles cancer.
Richard Sidick was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December. Sidick is a husband and father of three, in addition to a Vietnam vet and a realtor at Real Estate One in Clarkston.
With difficult days ahead for Sidick and his family, co-worker and friend Dan LaForest sprung into action.
‘Richard was diagnosed with cancer and the prognosis was not real good. He was in the midst of reinstating his life insurance but did not do so and obviously was very upset about the possibility of leaving his family without financial security,? LaForest said. ‘He just wants to make sure everyone is taken care of in case he dies.?
LaForest wanted to do something for his friend of eight years. The two had owned a real estate company together in town, before selling it to Real Estate One. They continued to work for the new owners.
‘It was a real shock when I heard. It was unbelievable,? LaForest said. ‘Richard is a very caring person. All my kids love him like a grandpa. He is really a people person. He cares a lot about people.?
LaForest and other co-workers at the company decided to plan a fundraiser at Century Bowl in Waterford which is located on M-59 between Hospital and Williams Lake Road.
‘Absolutely 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the family,? LaForest said.
The event is set for 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15. The cost is $25 per person and will include two games of bowling as well as a raffle.
Real Estate One is in the process of securing lane sponsors and has already received many items for prizes from local businesses.
‘To see the local companies coming together to help us has been great,? branch manager Kay Pearson said. ‘A lot of the other real estate companies have been participating.?
For additional information or to reserve your lane, call (248) 625-003 ext. 22 or e-mail richardsidickfund@yahoo.com. If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate, make checks payable to Richard Sidick, c/o Real Estate One, 31 S. Main, Clarkston, 48346.
‘If we would have brought this up to Richard he would have never allowed us to do such a thing but we knew we need to help him and his family,? Pearson said. ‘We want to create stability for his family and wife with financial support.?