Don Tyson, Tyson Foods Give $75,000 to National Cemetery Group
Funds to help provide burial space for military veterans
Fayetteville, Arkansas –May 28, 2010 – On the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, Don Tyson and Tyson Foods awarded a $75,000 “challenge” grant to an organization seeking to provide more burial space for military veterans at the Fayetteville National cemetery. In 2005, Tyson Foods donated $25,000 to acquire land for a city nature park only three blocks southwest of the cemetery on South Duncan Avenue in the Town Branch Neighborhood.
The money will be used by the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation (RNCIC) to support the group’s mission of securing nearby land to “insure the cemetery can continue to receive veterans for burial.”
“This gift is an example of our company’s long-running support of the nation’s military veterans and the important work of the RNCIC,” said Don Tyson, retired chairman and CEO of Tyson Foods and current member of the company’s board of directors. “We challenge other local businesses and individuals to join us in supporting this volunteer, non-profit group by making similar contributions.”
“We’re grateful for the support of Don Tyson and Tyson Foods for this important project,” said Roger McClain of the RNCIC. “This donation will help us continue our ongoing efforts to provide more space in the cemetery for veterans who want to be buried with others who shared the same military experience.”
The Fayetteville National Cemetery, opened in 1867, is one of the first cemeteries established for the re-internment of soldiers who fought in area battles during the Civil War and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has since been expanded to serve as a final resting place for other military veterans.
The RNCIC was established in 1984 to raise money to buy property for the Fayetteville National Cemetery to ensure it would remain open for the veterans. Through the efforts of the organization, the cemetery has tripled in size and currently has sufficient space for burials until approximately 2024. However, RNCIC officials want to continue the expansion by purchasing additional property adjacent to the cemetery.
The support of the military by Tyson Foods and its employees goes back many years and most recently includes the shipment of holiday care packages to employees, family members and friends serving the U.S. military in the Middle East. The company and its employees last year also provided financial support to a program designed to help wounded soldiers who have served there. In addition, Tyson has been a winner of the National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award, primarily because the company provides differential pay for all Tyson Team Members called to active military duty. The money makes up any difference between their military compensation and the pay they normally receive from Tyson.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN - News), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 117,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members.
The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Contact: Gary Mickelson 479-290-6111 or gary.mickelson@tyson.com
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