Tyson Foods has renewed its support of The Jones Center in Springdale, Ark., with a $1 million donation that will be paid over the next five years and used for general operating expenses. Combined with previous gifts, Tyson Foods has given $3 million since 2003 to the Springdale facility, which is a community and recreation center designed to serve families.
"We are so appreciative of this important donation," said Ed Clifford, president and CEO of the Jones Trust and The Jones Center. "Our recreation facilities, meeting space and conference center are state of the art, and our mission is to serve as many people as possible. We strive to improve the quality of life in our region every day. This very generous Tyson Foods donation allows us to fulfill that mission, as well as continue to partner with the company to make Northwest Arkansas healthier and a great place to live and work."
The Jones Center is a 220,000 square foot facility that provides multi-generational social, education, business, and recreational opportunities to an estimated one million visitors annually. The Jones Center opened in 1995 as a legacy gift from local philanthropist Bernice Jones.
"The Jones Center is such a huge part of this community," said Russell Tooley, Tyson Foods' senior vice president of corporate and international human resources and a member of the Jones Trust board of directors. "By strengthening this community center, we are strengthening all of Northwest Arkansas, including the thousands of Tyson Foods' Team Members who live and work here."
The gift announcement was made at The Jones Center's Big Night gala on Saturday evening with more than 400 Jones Center supporters present. Tyson Foods, the largest poultry processor in the United States, proudly served as the gala's signature sponsor. The evening included dishes created especially for the evening by the company's corporate executive chef Mario Valdovino.