Smurfit Westrock Donates Over €170,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana

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 were joined by over 300 Club kids from across North Louisiana to celebrate this momentous dedication to investing in local youth. 

“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.” 

This contribution is being funded by the Smurfit Westrock Foundation, which 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.

This generous gift will provide funding for essential facility upgrades to Jonesboro’s McDonald Club. These improvements 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, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana.  “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.”