Supporters of The Jones Center gathered Nov. 6 in-person at the center in Springdale and virtually via livestream for this year’s The Biggest Big Night Gala. The annual fundraiser was an opportunity for the nonprofit organization to celebrate the center’s 25th anniversary.
Co-chairmen for the benefit were Jason Nichol, Tyson Foods vice president, Walmart; and Laura Rush, Walmart vice president, frozen foods.
The evening’s program was a reflection on the community center’s history with a look to its future. Leaders announced that The Jones Center was recently named as one of three recipients of Walton Family Foundation Design Excellence Program grants. The grant will enable The Jones Center to enhance its 52-acre campus. “The Jones Trust will redesign its campus as a regional destination and create stronger physical connections to downtown Spring-dale and Luther George Park. The space will include park-like green spaces, inviting bike paths, infrastructure improvements and enhanced recreational amenities to serve diverse communities in an accessible and welcoming environment.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the evening’s featured speaker, congratulated center leaders and supporters for “25 years of fulfilling the dreams and hopes of so many children and young people; for creating opportunities for the next generation that they never thought possible … It makes a difference when you have a center like this that ministers to the needs regardless of whether they can afford it or not, that they have an open door for young people.”
Gala guests had the opportunity through the evening’s paddle raise auction to support updates to the of the most popular recreation amenities at The Jones Center. Improvements will include refinishing of the hardwood floor, two new scoreboards, and a Ninja Obstacle Course for children’s programming and birthday parties.
Current youth programs offered at the Center include preschool ballet, children’s gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do, judo, hockey, figure skating and a basketball skills clinic. Those going big with The Jones Center included Cathy and Sen. John Boozman, Carol and Ed Clifford, Mary and John George, Joanie and Jon Dyer, Holly and Jim Breach, Archie Schaffer and Heather Chilson, Jennifer and Dean Banks, Mary Ann and Philip Taldo, Curt Stamp, Mary and Jim Stockland, Jennifer and Jeff Wood and Celia Swanson.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com .
AT A GLANCE
The Biggest Big
Night Gala
Who: The Jones Center What: The nonprofit organization celebrated its 25th anniversary. When: Nov. 6 Where: The center in Spring-dale. Information: (479) 756-8090 or thejonescenter.net
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