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In loving memory of her husband, Christopher Frederick Smith, Linda Chris Smith and family have donated $50,000 to the Marion County Community Center Project. Smith presented the check to Marion County Judge John Massey to pass on to MCCS (Marion County Community Services Inc.).
Smith was inspired to donate to the community center project following a discussion with Judge Massey in which he indicated his full support for the local effort.
“We have so many needs in this area that could be addressed by a community center,” Smith said.
Smith also says she wants to help the wonderful people of Marion County and feels God laid it on her heart to donate. She believes the community center will be a great service for people of all ages. She is particularly enthusiastic about the proposed center offering continuing education for all age groups, health promotion and exercise, water rehabilitation, youth activities/competition, business promotion, and emergency shelter services.
Linda Chris Smith, a native of Marion County, relocated to Yellville after living in Florida for many years. She has three grown children and many beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom she is very proud. Smith’s father, Billy Madden, was a former mayor of Yellville and was instrumental in bringing the Mar-Bax shirt factory to Marion County.
Marion County Community Services Inc. is a non-profit, charitable organization with the mission to build a community center in Marion County. Twenty thousand of Smith’s very generous donation will pay off the proposed building site of 24 acres in south Yellville. She and six other donors stepped up to match a $25,000 donation made by Tom Dumas last fall. The other wonderful donors are Billy Baker of BBB Realty, Sandy Davenport of Davenport Realty, Mary and Roger Rose, Barbara Wesley, Janie Purdom, and Mitchell Kennerly.
The remaining $30,000 will apply directly to the building development itself.
“The MCCS Board of Directors are overjoyed and very grateful for Linda Chris Smith’s generosity,” said Marie Thompson, MCCS Secretary.
Thompson says most of the board members have been working on the project for years and a donation like this is a huge boost.
“Owning our location allows us to begin developing the land, finalizing the building plans, and puts us square in the sites of potential grants. Linda has changed the trajectory of the Marion County Community Center Project and we are so grateful for her vision,” said Thompson.
For more information on the Marion County Community Center Project, or to donate, go to marioncountycommunityservices.org or marioncountypartners.com. Donations can also be mailed to Marion County Community Services, Inc., PO Box 948, Yellville, Arkansas 72687.
