St. Jude’s chief Ward will head foundation

Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 | 9:58 a.m.

The Rev. Herbert Ward, who has served as chief executive officer and president of St. Jude's Ranch for Children for 30 years, will soon leave his post to become president of the newly formed St. Jude's Foundation.

The nonprofit charity in Boulder City assists homeless or abused children and has two other campuses in Texas. The Boulder City site, overlooking Lake Mead, is licensed to serve up to 54 children in its eight cottages.

"We're starting a foundation in order to raise funds large enough to endow the ranch for the next century," Ward said. "It's something the board has been planning for a long time."

The organization is mainly funded by private donations. The state contributes 20 percent of its operating budget.

However, the foundation is still in its planning stages, he added. The foundation should begin to take shape in mid-October, said Denise Johnson-Williams, Ward's administrative assistant.

The board is interviewing a number of priests to fill Ward's position, Johnson-Williams said, adding that the announcement will come at a later date.