Their next step was going to be to get him to a Louisville hospital.
Rice was the owner of 105.3 in Scottsburg and organized the
"We Care" Christmas drive for the past 30 years, donating coats and winter supplies to local school children in need.
"He started that program 30 some years ago and since then they've raised millions of dollars, and I don't know how many total children have been dressed by We Care, but he loved We Care," said Roger Conley, friend and colleague of Rice's at WMPI.
Conley worked closely with Rice at the radio station and with "We Care." He described rice as an adventurous man who invested in the southern Indiana community.
"He was a people person and did things for people," Conley said.
Rice's impact extended to Scottsburg High School's marching band, the Band of Warriors.
Scottsburg Principal Chris Routt said that Rice has been advocating for children and the band program for 21 years. Rice made a difference in students' lives, Routt said.
