Representatives of Smurfit Westrock, Boys and Girls Club of North Louisiana, and Town of Jonesboro Officials Celebrate Partnership to Renovate McDonald Recreation Center
JONESBORO, LA – Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana hosted a special check presentation on Thursday, July 16 at their Jonesboro Club. Company representatives from Smurfit Westrock and Boys & Girls Club staff, along with several Town of Jonesboro dignitaries, were joined by over 300 Club kids from across North Louisiana to celebrate this momentous dedication to investing in local youth.
The contribution of $171,357.00 euros, approximately $200,000.00, is funded by the Smurfit Westrock Foundation, an international organization that focuses on driving sustainable, positive change in local communities. By expanding resources for local children, the Foundation aims to bridge gaps in extracurricular development, giving Jackson Parish youth access to more tools, academic support, and leadership opportunities.
“Investing in the communities where our employees live and work is at the core of who we are,” said Rick Whiddon, General Manager of Smurfit Westrock’s Hodge Mill. “Our mill and the Smurfit Westrock Foundation are incredibly proud to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana. By helping to provide safe spaces, dedicated mentors, and enriching programs, we are building a brighter, more secure future for our local kids.”
General Manager of Smurfit Westrock in Hodge
This generous gift will fund essential facility upgrades at the McDonald Recreation Center, located at 400 Jeffress Street in Jonesboro, which is the home of the Boys and Girls Club. The first improvements to the facility since the 1950’s will expand the organization’s capacity to provide youth services and help ensure it can maintain its high standard of after-school programming and mentorship.
“We are so grateful for the generosity shown by the team at Smurfit Westrock and the Smurfit Westrock Foundation,” said Eldontá Osborne, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana and Jonesboro-Hodge High School alum. “This investment ensures our Jonesboro Club can continue to serve as a vital resource for local families. This funding doesn’t just fix up a building; it expands our capacity to keep rural youth safe, engaged, and inspired after the school bell rings.”
CEO of Boys and Girls Club of North Louisiana
In interviews with KNOE-TV, Channel 8 in Monroe, which covered the event, Residents and town officials said the club provides kids with guidance that can shape their future
“It’s an opportunity for them to learn how to succeed overall in life,” Pine Belt Director Conchita Malone-Doyle said. “We have had many success stories for boys and girls.”
Jonesboro Mayor J. “Spike” Harris said the donation helps create positive opportunities for children and offers reinforcement amid challenges many young people face.
“The biggest thing is creating opportunities for our children,” Harris said. “Our children … get a lot of negativity. So this is a positive reinforcement for our children.”
Jonesboro resident and Smurfit Westrock lobbyist James Bradford said the contribution gives him hope for local youth.
“It lets me know that the boys and girls from Jonesboro have a future,” Bradford said. “And we look forward to it, doing even bigger and better.”
Organizers said renovations are expected to begin in the coming months. They plan to break ground by the end of July and start the construction process within the next two weeks.
About Smurfit Westrock Foundation
Smurfit Westrock Foundation is a registered charity in Ireland, established to create positive and lasting change in the communities where Smurfit Westrock operates. The Foundation supports sustainable, community-led initiatives focused on health and nutrition, education, and access to basic care, helping to improve quality of life for people in need.
For more information, visit www.smurfitwestrockfoundation.com.
Registered Charity Number (Ireland): 20078270.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana provides a safe, positive, and supervised environment for local youth to learn, grow, and succeed. Serving communities across North Louisiana, the Club delivers high-impact after-school and summer programming designed to foster academic success, healthy habits, and strong leadership skills. They are committed to ensuring every child has the mentorship and resources they need to build a great future. For more information, visit www.bgcofnl.org.