Welcome to The Jones Center

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The Jones Center Accepts
Check Presentations:
Walmart/Sam's Club &
Foundation for the MidSouth

Rick McCullough, Executive Director of The Jones Center, and Jay Ellis, Corporate Chair of The Jones Center’s Development Council and Nestle USA accept a $250,266 check from Karen Parker, Program Manager for the Walmart/Sam’s Club Foundation. Also accepting are Celia Swanson, Immediate Past Chair of the Center’s Development Council and a Senior Vice President at Walmart, and Tina Hodne, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of The Jones Center and a realtor at Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette. Walmart is the Presenting Sponsor of the primary youth programs at The Jones Center. The check presentation took place on Friday, March 4th at The Jones Center in Springdale.

Kelly Kemp-McLintock accepts a $100,000 check from Paul Davis, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the MidSouth and a Vice President at Tyson Foods. Also accepting are Tina Hodne, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of The Jones Center and a realtor at Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette and John George, the current Council Chair of The Jones Center’s Development Council and Executive Vice President at Hunt Ventures. The check presentation took place on Friday, March 4th at The Jones Center in Springdale. Proceeds from the foundation will be used to support youth services, health education and education activities at The Jones Center.

Click here to listen to the Ozarks at Large radio segment covering the March 4, 2011 press conference at The Jones Center.

NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FEB. 24, 2011

Keeping More of What You Earn –
Earned Income Tax Credit

The Foundation for the Mid South and The Jones Center are focused on ways to help Northwest Arkansas and the Mid South grow and prosper, helping our people and communities help themselves. So with tax season upon us, we ask, “What would a few extra million dollars do for our area? What about an additional $1.3 billion for our state?” There is a way to do this and it is already available to working families in Northwest Arkansas and the nation: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The EITC is a federal tax credit that every working low-income family can claim on their tax return, allowing them to get back an average of $2,600 of their earnings. This is money that can be used to start or grow a savings account for a rainy day or to pay down debt. Regardless of how it is used, the tax credit allows families to keep more of what they earn and injects extra cash into local economies.

Each year, over 500,000 eligible Arkansas residents lose out on approximately $1.3 billion from their tax returns because they did not claim the EITC credit. One way to change this is to make sure people in our community know what it is. First, tax filers have to be employed; the tax credit is not a hand-out. For instance, low-wage working families earning less than $40,000 are eligible. Secondly, there are no additional requirements or forms to make it difficult to file. The EITC credit is included in the form 1040—pretty easy, right?

What can we do in Northwest Arkansas? Spread the word. There are dozens of websites like http://www.eitc.irs.gov/central/publications/ where we can print posters to display in our places of worship, libraries, or offices and envelope stuffers to send out to employees, organization members, or mailing lists. Since people should have just received their W-2 forms and are planning to file their taxes, it is a perfect time to get the word out about the credit.

Awareness is a good first step, but we need more people to take action and claim the EITC on their taxes. People may need a little help getting started. Each year, Arkansans pay $55 million to tax preparers. What if low-wage workers could file for free and keep an average of $250 in their pockets? Well, they can. Local churches, banks, community centers, and libraries are just a few places in communities that offer free tax preparation services.

Find other Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites by visiting http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=233741,00.html or calling the IRS at 1-800-906-9887. For example, in our area, some of the places people can file taxes for free in the region are Northwest Arkansas Tax Center, 479-717-2559; OHC Asset Development –CAA, 479-936-9795; OHC Samaritan Community Center-479-636-4198; Rogers Activity Center, 479-586-7682; Yvonne Richardson Community Center, 479-444-3461; and Washington County Courthouse (AARP) 479-521-7987.

The Jones Center and the Foundation for the Mid South are working together to increase awareness of the EITC and access to VITA sites throughout northwest Arkansas. Imagine the financial impact to our families, businesses, and communities if an additional $1.3 billion was brought into our state, just through claiming a credit on tax returns. We can do this, but we need your help.

Take a few moments to spread the word about EITC and post a listing of the free sites at your job, on your blog or website, or make an announcement at your place of worship or your next civic club meeting. Whether you’re eligible for the EITC or not, whole communities benefit from the tax credit. When a town can bring in a few extra million dollars each year, that’s a whole lot of change.

Paul E. Davis
Vice Chair of Board of Directors, Foundation for the Mid South
Springdale, Arkansas

Rick McCullough
Executive Director of The Jones Center 
Springdale, Arkansas

About The Jones Center
The Jones Center is a one-of-a-kind 220,000 square foot facility that provides multi-generational social, education, business, and recreational opportunities to more than one million visitors annually at minimal or no charge. The Jones Center opened in 1995 as a legacy gift from philanthropist Bernice Young Jones.

About the Foundation for the Mid South
The Foundation for the Mid South is a regional foundation dedicated to improving lives by expanding knowledge in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The foundation seeks to increase opportunity for residents and communities by supporting and strengthening the knowledge and skills of organizations and individuals working to bring about change. The Foundation supports efforts that ensure high-quality education; promote physical and mental health; build financial security; and enable communities to grow and prosper. For more information, visit www.fndmidsouth.org.

Contacts:

Kelly Kemp-McLintock, CFRE
The Jones Center 
Chief Advancement Officer
479-756-8090
kkemp@jonesnet.org

Chris Crothers
Foundation for the Mid South
Communications Director
601-863-0483
ccrothers@fndmidsouth.org

NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FEB. 24, 2011

The Jones Center Receives Grant to Expand Community Programs
Foundation for the Mid South Supports Center's Efforts to Improve Quality of Life in Northwest Arkansas

SPRINGDALE, AR (February 14, 2011) –The Jones Center recently received a grant from the Foundation for the Mid South to expand its work to improve the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas and to bring residents together around community issues.

The Foundation for the Mid South’s $100,000 grant will increase the use of The Jones Center’s crucial educational, cultural, recreational, economic, and civic programs by the diverse Northwest Arkansas population. “We are constantly looking for partners who align with our priorities and serve a broad cross-section of the population,” says Ivye Allen, President of the Foundation for the Mid South. “The Jones Center, as a primary provider of community-focused services in Northwest Arkansas, is a perfect partner for us. More importantly, the Center is effectively meeting the needs of the people in the region and is a driving force for community improvement.”

The Jones Center is well on its way to becoming a national model for service provision to vulnerable populations. The programs offered by The Jones Center focus on overcoming the challenges that hinder the area and its people from reaching their fullest potential, including academic success, health and well-being, and leadership.

“We are pleased that supporters, like the Foundation, recognize how important our work is to bettering our local communities,” shares Rick McCullough, Executive Director of The Jones Center. “The needs of families and children are great and getting greater in Benton and Washington Counties,” he continues, “and we are expanding our services and outreach to ensure The Jones Center is helping more people feel like they belong, they have the tools necessary to succeed, and they can enjoy the American Dream.”

Congratulations to Kathryn Birkhead,
winner of the Community Partner Award,
given at this year's inaugural Celebration of Community event
presented by Walmart. Kathryn is Director of Diversity and
Inclusion at The Jones Center.

The Community Partner Award "Recognizes an individual or
community organization that has made an outstanding contribution
to diversity and inclusion in the Northwest Arkansas community.
The nominee must have provided exceptional leadership by creating
opportunities to explore issues regarding diversity, multicultural
education, social justice, identity development and/or leadership
initiatives."

Congratulations Kathryn!

Photo: La Prensa Libre

CELEBRATE DECEMBER 2010

The Jones Center Turned 15!

Fifteen years ago, Bernice Jones opened the The Jones Center with joyous ceremony as she welcomed the NWA community to enjoy her legacy gift; a first-rate facility where all were welcome to learn, play and belong. Today, the Center still thrives and celebrated its 15th birthday with public festivity on Sunday, October 24th.

Festivities for the day included a special public ceremony in the chapel, complete with a special proclamation by Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse. Family activities included children’s crafts and games, pumpkin painting, live salsa music, birthday cake for one thousand happy guests, and Edy’s Grand Ice Cream.

Matt Tronzano, Mary McKinney, John George, Russell Tooley

Mayor Sprouse presents proclamation to Rick McCullough, Executive Director of The Jones Center

Mrs. Pat Walker & Jeff Ohnstad

NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Springdale school children raise money for The Jones Center

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (November 2, 2010) Springdale school children recently saw the culmination of a month long fund-raiser for The Jones Center, and triumphantly deposited $2,700 in coins and dollar bills in front of an admiring audience of their peers and adults at the Center. The ceremony took place on October 29th, the fifteenth year anniversary of the Center.

“We are absolutely amazed what these elementary school children have done,” exclaimed Robyn Alley, one of the representatives from The Jones Center who worked with the children. “I loved working with such a great group of children, and they were so excited to raise money for the Center! They recognize that The Jones Center is a special place in their lives, and were so proud to be able to be able to support it.”

Leah Jones, Director of Youth Programming at The Jones Center, also worked with the principals, teachers and children at Smith and Harp Elementary Schools in Springdale, and was very complimentary regarding the effort. “We received full support from the administration and teaching staff, and they couldn’t have been more helpful. But it was the children themselves who so enthusiastically ran the Quarter Campaign and made it a success.”

Collection buckets were designed pro bono by CJRW Northwest located in Springdale. The Jones Center was named PTA Business of the Year in 2010 by the Springdale City Council.

Jones Center staff with student representatives from Harp and Smith Elementary Schools in Springdale

Celia Swanson, a Senior VP at Walmart and Chair of The Jones Center Development Council 2009-2010, thanks the children for their fund-raising efforts

Mass Flu Vaccination Clinic Scheduled Oct. 28th at The Jones Center

The Jones Center will be the host site for a one-day mass flu vaccination clinic on Thursday, October 28th from 8am-7pm. This year, the swine flu and seasonal flu will be covered in a single, combination vaccine.

According to the Arkansas Health Department, the immunizations are offered at no charge to the public. Officials do encourage those with health coverage to bring their insurance cards.

Last year, more than 4,000 doses of flu vaccine were administered to children and adults during the one-day clinic at The Jones Center.

There are many other vaccination clinics coming up this fall. Some of the locations in NWA include Rogers, Siloam Springs and Huntsville. For more information call your county health department.

Fall Arts & Crafts Festival at The Jones Center

Oct 14 & 15
9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Oct. 16
9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Free Admission and Parking

Sponsored by Northwest Medical Center Auxiliary

NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Jones Center Names Executive Director

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (September 30, 2010) Rick McCullough has been named Executive Director of The Jones Center in Springdale. McCullough has filled the position of Interim Executive Director since July of this year.

According to Tina Hodne, Chair of the Board of Directors, “We are thrilled to have Rick's talents and expertise working to help move The Jones Center forward. His track record of overseeing operations and working with non-profit entities aligns perfectly with what we are looking for. We have been very pleased with Rick’s performance and are so glad that he has accepted the opportunity to continue to work here with us.”

McCullough, a CPA, has lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1982. His professional experience includes his position at R&L Holdings for the past twelve years where he sits on the Board of Directors, and is involved in consulting, real estate development, automotive groups and debt/equity financing. McCullough brings superior analytical and management skills to the Executive Director position as well as a strong under-standing of the unique challenges faced by a non-profit, particularly in the current economic environment.

“I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization that is so well loved and well used by the community in Northwest Arkansas. The Center is known for its quality programs and services, as well as for its great facility,” remarked McCullough. “It was Mrs. Jones's vision, hard work and financial support that created The Center, and although I never met Bernice Jones, I have been repeatedly told by those who did that the ongoing success of The Jones Center was of the utmost importance to her. She considered it one of her greatest gifts. Mrs. Jones clearly felt that she had been fortunate enough to have been blessed with financial wealth but that it meant very little unless she could spend it in ways to help others, particularly children."

Previous to his position at R&L Holdings, McCullough worked as Manager at the accounting firm BKD in Fayetteville from 1982 to 1988, followed by ten years there as the Partner in Charge. McCullough established the initial BKD presence in the region, and built the business to serve a client base of small and medium-sized businesses as well as high net worth individuals. McCullough is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Arkansas State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

In addition to providing direction and leadership to The Jones Center, McCullough will play an important role in furthering the Center’s development strategies. The Center is supported through major gifts and foundation support, annual giving, giving clubs, corporate sponsorships, naming opportunities and revenues generated through fees.

Technology Grant from COX Funds Renovation of The Jones Center Computer Facility

The center was recognized for its tremendous outreach efforts and programs that serve the Northwest Arkansas community.

The new center boasts an updated lounge area and work stations, 33 new computers, and will soon feature software upgrades to include Office 2010®. Additionally, Quickbooks Pro has been added to computers located in a small classroom area. Center patrons will be able to work individually or sign up for classes to improve their software knowledge or basic computer literacy. Read more

Supporters gathered for a special ribbon cutting ceremony held on Thursday, August 5th to unveil the newly updated Computer Center.
Pictured left to right: John Sampson, Public Affairs Specialist for COX - Janet Barnard, Senior VP and General Manager Kansas/Arkansas COX - Kelly-Kemp McLintock, Chief Advancement Officer for The Jones Center - Rick McCullough, Interim Executive Director for The Jones Center - Tina Hodne, Jones Center Board of Directors 2010 Chair - Kris Knight, Technical Services Coordinator for The Jones Center

Springdale Farmers' Market will run through the last Saturday in October.

Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Hours: 7am to 1pm

The market is located on the Memorial Walk at The Jones Center ......................................................................................................................................................................................................

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—July 28, 2010
COX TECHNOLOGY GRANT FUNDS RENOVATION OF JONES CENTER COMPUTER FACILITY
Ribbon cutting planned to unveil new equipment, software and furnishings for The Jones Center computer center

Springdale, Ark. – A peek in the window on any afternoon at the newly renovated Cox Technology Computer Center at The Jones Center reveals a lot about how technology is being used by all ages. A retired woman is learning how to use PowerPoint® and Publisher®, while teenagers gather around a monitor checking for homework assignments posted on a school website. Small business owners and other interested individuals are taking a class to improve their skills in Quickbooks Pro®. Another young man is checking his online banking statement, as a mom logs into educational computer games with her pre-schooler while her other child is at hockey practice at The Jones Center ice rink.

Since its opening, more than 1 million guests have spent time accessing The Jones Center computer facility for personal use and skill development in a safe, comfortable environment. With that kind of sustained traffic, it was time for a serious upgrade. The Jones Center approached Cox Communications in 2009 with a proposal to consider funding renovation of the existing computer center. The furniture in the computer center had survived nearly 14 years of constant use, and the majority of the computers were well past their expected life cycles. Frustratingly slow processors were incompatible with current software demands and Internet speeds. Cox reviewed the request for $61,000 and realized the investment would be worthwhile for the Northwest Arkansas community.

“As a high speed Internet service provider, we know first-hand how important reliable access and up-to-date technology tools are,” said Janet Barnard, senior vice president and general manager of Cox Kansas/Arkansas. “We also know that for many in our community, those tools are economically out of reach in the home—or perhaps newer users are seeking to gain skills to make them more confident in the use of technology. This investment is a big step toward getting people of all ages and backgrounds connected in an increasingly online world.”

The Jones Center and Cox Communications look forward to a grand opening ribbon cutting to present the renovations and new equipment to the public:

The Jones Center is named the "2010 PTA Business of the Year" by the Springdale City Council PTA

The center was recognized for its tremendous outreach efforts and programs that serve the youth in Springdale and throughout Northwest Arkansas.

"I chose to be a part of The Jones Center because my values fit well with the truths of the organization and I felt like I could add to a culture where people are valued and make a difference."
Celia Swanson, Senior VP, Walmart Stores US & 2010 Jones Center Development Council Chair

Image courtesy CitiScapes Magazine (photo by Don Shreve)

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Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation Grant Supports Jones Center for Families

Strategic Plan Will Strengthen Critical Community Connections

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 26, 2010) – A recent grant awarded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation will help The Jones Center increase its capacity to connect to critical community and business partners in Northwest Arkansas.

The $200,000 grant will support the implementation of a strategic plan focused on developing business and community partnerships and fundraising capacity to continue the services, facilities, and programming The Jones Center offers to the community. In addition, the grant will help The Jones Center to become a national model for comprehensive, community-focused service provision for high-need populations.

“The Jones Center is the primary provider of workforce, educational, recreational, health & fitness, and cultural programs in Northwest Arkansas,” said Dr. Sherece West, President and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. “The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation recognizes the critical role it plays in the region and supports its efforts to serve as a catalyst for social awareness and community change.”

“We are focusing over the next few years on building a strong base of ongoing support for our programs,” said Kelly Kemp-McLintock, Chief Advancement Officer for the Center. “By partnering with WRF we’re able to leverage support from many other local funders that will strengthen and sustain our programming.”

Other strategic plan funding partners include: the Walton Family Foundation, the Care Foundation, the Walker Family Charitable Foundation, Tyson Foods, Inc., Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club Foundation, and the Alcoa Foundation.