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The George family has pledged $1 million to The Jones Center, a unique recreation and education center in downtown Springdale, Arkansas. Carl George and Charles George, co-CEOs of poultry company George’s Inc., presented a check to the Jones Trust during a special ceremony on May 1.
Opened in 1995 as a gift to the Northwestern Arkansas region from philanthropist Bernice Jones, The Jones Center is known for its high-quality, low-cost recreation services, innovative youth programming and affordable community meeting/conference space. The facility includes two indoor swimming pools, an indoor ice rink, gymnasium, fitness center, conference center, auditorium/chapel and numerous classrooms.
“The George family has been an important part of Springdale’s history and the Northwest Arkansas landscape for many years, and we are so pleased with this show of great support by the family. The Jones Trust board and staff have worked very hard to expand our regional quality of life programs and services, and we are delighted to receive this important endorsement from the George family. Their very generous gift to our endowment campaign considerably moves us towards our goal of financial sustainability,” said Ed Clifford, president and CEO of The Jones Center.
On behalf of the George family, Carl George remarked: “Springdale has been blessed by the vision of Harvey and Bernice Jones. Our family shares their vision, and is privileged to live and work in this community. The Jones Center is dedicated to strengthening this community, and helping nurture the individuals and families that call Northwest Arkansas home.”
Charles George added: “It is with great joy that our family will help sustain Harvey and Bernice’s dream of making The Jones Center a place of education, recreation and togetherness for all of George’s team members and the Northwest Arkansas community.”
The Jones Trust board is working to reach the full endowment campaign goal amount of $30 million that will benefit the short- and long-term goals to sustain the Jones Trust and The Jones Center.
