Jones Center raises $310,000 at ‘Big Night’

The Jones Center in Springdale recently announced its 2025 Big Night fundraiser raised $310,000 to support the nonprofit’s scholarship program. More than 350 people attended the event, which featured a French bistro-themed dinner prepared by Chef Thomas Wenrich of Tyson Foods and Catering Unlimited.

There was also a jewelry pull by Diamond Center, a flower bouquet station, a travel showcase from Raise Away, a live auction, and music by Funk Factory. The event theme was French chic.

Multiple community leaders spoke at the event. Bill Bowen, head of sales for prepared foods at Tyson Foods, and Leslie Leonard, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of beauty and personal care at Walmart, talked about their partnership with Jones Center.

Celia Swanson discussed the center’s impact over the past 30 years, and Jones Center President and CEO Joe Lloyd III highlighted the Every Child Swims program and the organization’s commitment to teaching life-saving water skills to Springdale students.

Proceeds from Big Night support the Jones Center’s Access for Everyone scholarship program, which provides free and low-cost access to recreation, sports, arts, culture, science and education programs.

“As our region grows, we see more families requesting help with memberships and class registrations,” Lloyd said. “Community support ensures that every qualifying family who asks for a scholarship receives one.”

Big Night is sponsored by multiple companies and organizations, including Tyson Foods, Walmart, Arvest Bank, Arkansas Children’s, C.R. Crawford Construction, Nabholz, Schmieding Foundation, Simmons Foods, Walker Brothers Insurance and Wright Lindsey Jennings.