It is our mission in to continue to raise awareness of the dangers around water, both to children and adults,
while hosting fundraising events that will contribute to a decrease in local water related fatalities.
Childhood drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death in children ages 0-5. In 2017, there were 153 incidents with 61 fatalities. 18 children and 43 adults/teens lost their lives in Arizona due to drowning. Tragically, these deaths could have been prevented with life jackets, proper water barriers, education, and CPR training.
After the loss of their twenty-one year old son, Ryan Thomas, at Saguaro Lake in 2008, the Thomas family created the Ryan Thomas Foundation in hopes of making a difference in the lives of others. Directed and run entirely by volunteers, the Ryan Thomas Foundation aims to contribute all of it's event proceeds to local causes.
In addition to donations to organizations that promote water safety education, the Foundation has also worked with the Arizona Game and Fish department to assist in the installation and maintenance of 18 life-saving life jacket kiosks at several Arizona lakes. Learn more about The Life Jacket Loaner Program
"I just want to be a good person, good people are remembered."
— Ryan Thomas
Ryan turned twenty-one years old just three months before his accident. He was a loving son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend. He was a young man of integrity, kindness, generosity, and had a smile that could melt your heart. In his short life he gave so much joy and happiness to our family that we instantly knew we had to continue his legacy with this Foundation.
Ryan loved the outdoors, his family, and sports. He attended Mountain View High School where he excelled in football.
After high school, Ryan played two years of college football for Mesa Community College prior to transferring to Arizona State University. Ryan was a junior at ASU majoring in communications and working two jobs to help out with his college expenses.
On the day of the accident, Ryan and five friends went to Saguaro Lake for a day of fun in the sun. Nobody could have ever imagined that the day would take such a tragic turn and that Ryan would drown. A painful and constant reminder of the dangers of water and the importance of water safety.
Before Ryan passed away, he wrote a mission statement for one of his college classes. In the mission statement Ryan wrote, "I just want to be a good person, good people are remembered."
Thank you for visiting this website. It gives our family great joy to remember Ryan with his old friends and introduce him to new ones.
In addition to the events we host each year in Ryan’s memory, we benefit greatly from direct donations to the foundation. We are proud to turn 100% of the donations we receive into contributions to other charities or organizations with great vision and heart but perhaps limited resources.
Donations may be made via check mailed to the following address or calling Shannon for more options.
The Ryan Thomas Foundation c/o Shannon Liebrock 642 W Wildhorse Dr Chandler, AZ. 85286 (480) 993-5610
