Welcome to Thursday's Child®
Remembering Ron Thorstad
Ron Thorstad, Thursday's Child Co-Founder and President 1984-1995
October 29, 1937 - January 14, 2024
Ron's obituary says he was a "co-founder" of Thursday's Child. This is technically true but what people probably don't realize is he gave us the money to get started. So it wasn't only his passionate belief in helping others, he also wrote the check that allowed us to grant our first wishes. He never wanted that known, but I knew, and so did the other member of our co-founding trio, the late Andrea Urbon. Raising money for a fledgling, unknown non-profit is not easy. I'm not sure we would have made it without his faith and generosity.
Ron served as Board President for ten years. After he stepped away from that duty, Board Member Dr. Paul Dvorak wrote this in the November 1995 Thursday's Child Newsletter: "For ten years Ron ably led our organization with compassion and generosity. He has spent countless hours on behalf of children and families in Southern Wisconsin speaking at dozens of fund raising events and generally spreading the word about Thursday's Child. Ron's contribution to Thursday's Child in particular, but also to our community as a whole, reflects the heart and character of a very special man."
Thousands of wishes later, his legacy continues as Thursday's Child begins its 40th year. He was proud of its continuing success and would check in with me once in awhile to see how we were doing or if we needed money. He was a good man, a good friend, and the world is a little bit better because he was with us for 86 years.
- Noël Ferguson, Executive Director
Thursday's Child® makes wishes come true for seriously ill children and young adults living within and/or treated within southwest and south central Wisconsin.
A child's dreams are endless and Thursday's Child® believes in the importance of those dreams. Since 1984, the Foundation has made sure that children who face difficult illnesses get a chance to realize a special dream, a family trip to Disney World, a computer to help with school work, meeting an inspiring celebrity, or another wish that is as individual as each dreamer.
Thursday's Child® was created and is sustained by people who understand the importance of a child's dream. Thursday's Child® works with area pediatric specialists, social workers and members of the community as well as the children's friends and families to make those dreams come true.
If your group is interested in hosting a fundraising event to benefit Thursday's Child®, please contact any of our Board members and let us know your plans and how we can assist you.
For more information about the foundation, please contact us by email noel@chorus.net.
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How is Thursday's Child® different from other wish organizations?
About our foundation
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Our annual trail ride in September and other special events benefitting the dreams of children!