About Us
"In a word: charity cannot be neutral, antiseptic, indifferent, lukewarm, or impartial! Charity is infectious, it excites, it risks and it engages! For true charity is always unmerited, unconditional, and gratuitous!"
Pope Francis, Feb. 15, 2015
The Good Thief Foundation was inspired by three events: a homily given by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on Good Friday, April 13th, 1979, at the Church of St. Agnes, Manhattan, New York; the birth of Rhett Wagner, born with Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome; and the birth of Khloe and Lilly Kennedy, fraternal twins with Autism.
Collectively, they energized three individuals to work together to raise awareness in their communities. Mark, through the words of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, realized that the path forward is in service to others. Lauren, through the birth of her son, Rhett, and Krista, through the birth of her daughters, Khloe and Lilly, realized that they needed understanding rather than pity. Mark was also inspired by the children’s birth and contacted Lauren and Krista to see if they would like to help establish the Good Thief Foundation.
The Foundation’s name is taken from Luke: 23, which is an inspiring story of the good thief, Dismus. Taking inspiration from that story led the way to forming a foundation with the main goal of serving others. Religious or not, we all feel better when we serve individuals and our community.
The Good Thief Foundation is currently using motorcycle rides to raise awareness and funds, with the first two rides benefitting those with Down Syndrome and Developmental Disabilities.
The Good Thief Foundation is also about assisting you and your faith to move forward with your own passions and interests to make a difference in your community. Together, we will create programs to raise awareness and funds that make a difference to those in need.
Think on it, pray on it.
Then contact us and let us know where we can work together to build a better future for society’s most precious resources.
Our Board
Mark McQuate
A Veteran U.S. Marine, former Professional Fire Fighter and Politician, Mark was involved in conflicts in both the Middle East and Central America. Mark had the honor of serving as a Professional Fire Fighter, running for State Legislature and working for former Vice President Al Gore while living in Wisconsin. His health began to deteriorate in 2001 but was able to successfully establish the Ride with Kelly Foundation and the Kelly McQuate Memorial Scholarship in 2010 and the Bikers for Backpacks Ride in 2015. In 2017 his health took a turn for the worse and spent the next 4 years struggling with the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD. Through the help of faith, family and the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, Univ. of Colorado, Mark is now able to slowly venture into giving back to his community. Mark, a practicing Catholic, lives with his wife, Melissa, his daughter Savannah and stepchildren, Landyn and Rhylee in Rock Island, Illinois. Mark currently is on the Board of Directors for Catholic Care United and is involved in the Jail/Prison Ministry and the distribution of Catholic Care Packs to the homeless.
Lauren Jones – Wagner
Lauren is the wife to Josh, mother to Rhett, and a nurse. Lauren started work as a nurse in the emergency department and now works as a nurse in an internal medicine office in Bloomington, IL. Rhett was diagnosed with trisomy 21, known as Down syndrome at their 20-week ultrasound. Josh and Lauren became active with CIDSO in order to gain more understanding and to create connections with parents who have similar experiences. She wants to help educate the community that those with Down syndrome are just like you and me. Lauren enjoys shopping, reading, and all animals and hopes you join the efforts to create more inclusivity for anyone with a disability.
Krista Kennedy
A Florida native, Krista has now called the Quad Cities home for fifteen years. Krista has twenty years of experience in the hospitality/service industry. Getting her first job as a server in a retirement home community at the age of fourteen, Krista gained a passion for the work she did and never looked back. Over the years Krista has been involved in the planning of weddings, baby showers, graduation parties and many other special occasions. She also had the privilege of working for the PGA for a little over three years and held a management title for a successful bar/grill. Now, Krista is a stay at home to five beautiful children. She is married to her husband Ryan and looks forward to family vacations and rides on her husband's Road King. It wasn't until Krista's twin daughters were diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) would she find her next real passion, raising awareness/acceptance for the ASD community. Krista believes awareness is passive, acceptance is active. It is her hope that in partnering with The Good Thief Foundation they can take action in spreading the importance of acceptance. Not only for the ASD community, but for every person or family who has a developmental disorders.