Please feel free to contact any of our board’s officers or members regarding contributions, recipients of donations, qualifications of applicants, etc.
John Thomas, Co-Founder/CEO, at John@josephthomasfoundation.org
Erin Thomas, Co-Founder/Chair, at Erin@josephthomasfoundation.org
Roenna Thomas, Secretary, at Roenna@josephthomasfoundation.org
Danny Thomas, Treasurer, at Danny@josephthomasfoundation.org
Laura Petit, Board Member, at Laura@josephthomasfoundation.org
Having missed the Triathlon last year, I was thrilled to be able to attend this year’s event. It was such a blessing to see these children as they came in the doors, excited to be playing and competing with parents, grandparents and other sponsors. Everywhere I looked there were children laughing and playing. Scores hardly mattered. And to see the healthy children relate to and assist those with disabilities by setting up the bowling bowl slide and waiting patiently for their turn, was a true joy. To think, this all came about because of one medically fragile child’s valiant struggle and his family’s efforts to keep his name alive in a positive, uplifting way.
Joseph Thomas died at the age of 6 in his sleep after his 3rd day of 1st grade. He had faced multiple medical obstacles and his small body was just too tired to carry on. His family faced many obstacles – financial, bureaucratic, medical, and social – during his short life. However, through these obstacles the family learned a great deal about the agencies and many people wanting and able to assist. (I can’t say enough good about the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Worth!) Wanting to share their knowledge and remember Joseph, his parents started the Joseph Thomas Foundation.
The common fund raisers – chili suppers, golf tournaments, etc – were discarded because they didn’t include the children themselves. Prime Time was approached and they jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this undertaking. Not wanting to charge families already stressed with medical bills, John Thomas started contacting businesses to help sponsor the children. Because of their generosity, all Triathlon participants including their adult partners are able to compete for no charge in the three events that make up the Joseph Thomas Memorial Triathlon.
Individual awards were given to the top bowling, skee ball and miniature golf junior competitors. Many door prizes were passed out (about every 5th child). A diamond dig was sponsored by J Shea Jewelers and Doug Hodel Photography was there to capture many of the special moments of the event. Others helped by donating items to the Silent Auction. Cash donations were also made by many at the registration tables.
I competed with my granddaughter, who is 9 years old. Scores were not important to her. She warmly greeted everyone she knew and many she just met with hugs and handshakes. She high-fived other competitors, handicapped and healthy. She posed for pictures, bid on a night light, dug for diamonds and then spent some money in the game room.
Last year the Children’s Miracle Network was the recipient of most of the monies donated, but this year the monies will go to many different medically fragile children and the organizations working with them.
A special thank you goes out for all the sponsors of this wonderful event. To see these children smiles, to hear their laughter, makes my own contribution seem so inadequate.
Sincerely,
Joseph Thomas’ Granny
Roenna Thomas
Download the application attached below and return. Upon receipt, your application will be reviewed and a member of our staff with contact you to guide you through the rest of the process.
Thank you for looking to the Joseph Thomas Foundation for your support!
Support Application - 2008 (.pdf format)