Leonard Johnson Trust pledges $1 million to Arkansas Children’s Northwest

The Leonard Johnson Trust will give $1 million to Arkansas Children’s Northwest in honor of Kathleen Johnson, who was married to Leonard Johnson for 63 years. The 233,613-square-foot pediatric hospital is under construction west of Interstate 49 in Springdale and set to open January 2018. With this gift, the diagnostic services area in the hospital will be named in honor of Leonard Johnson’s wife, Kathleen, who died Aug. 22, 2010. The Johnsons had lived in Lowell.

Bill Brandt, executor and co-trustee of the Leonard Johnson Trust, said Leonard Johnson “desired to benefit the citizens and community of the Northwest Arkansas region. Dedicating this gift to transforming the way pediatric care is delivered is a powerful way to honor the legacy of his wife, Kathleen.” Co-trustee Darrell Armstrong said the Johnsons “passion for the people in our community was evident” and was “honored to designate this gift to Arkansas Children’s Northwest in honor of Kathleen Johnson.”

Fred Scarborough, chief of development for Arkansas Children’s and president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation, was “grateful for the generous gift from the Leonard Johnson Trust. The Johnsons were champions for children and the community, and this gift to ACNW in honor of the late Kathleen Johnson will help to transform the way we deliver healthcare to children in the region.”

In August, ACH announced a $70 million public campaign to raise money for Arkansas Children’s Northwest. So far, gifts totaling $59.5 million have been publicly announced.

The following are some of the other contributors toward the campaign:

• Tyson Family and Tyson Foods, $15 million
• Walmart and Walmart Foundation, $8 million
• Robin and Gary George, Cathy and David Evans and their families, $7.5 million
• B. Hunt Transport Services, $5 million
• Will Golf for Kids and Color of Hope, $5 million