Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, in collaboration with parent company Delaware North and the Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association, recently announced a $1.7 million gift to the City of West Memphis to fund a new and much larger animal shelter at the site of the former Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Center.
Representatives of Southland and West Memphis participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for the shelter, which is being named in honor of Ness Sechrest, chairman emeritus of the Southland board of directors, and his wife, Carolyn.
“Today, it brings us immense pride to announce a $1.7 million gift to the City of West Memphis, earmarked for the establishment of a new and significantly larger animal shelter,” said Osi Imomoh, president and general manager of Southland Casino Hotel. “In tribute to their unwavering commitment to animal well-being and this community, the shelter will bear the name ‘The Carolyn and Ness Sechrest Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.’”
According to Imomoh, Ness called attention to the challenges faced by the facility in terms of location and maintenance and the imperative to expand for the betterment of animal welfare. With the conclusion of racing at Southland, the casino was left with an empty greyhound adoption facility after successfully adopting out all remaining greyhounds.
“The Jacobs family and the Southland Board unanimously agreed that this facility would serve as an ideal location for a new and improved animal shelter,” Imomoh said. “Then the effort involved key partners such as the city, led by Mayor Marco McClendon, and our valued partners at the Greyhound Kennel Owners Association, who graciously donated $40,000 to support the project.”
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of Southland Casino Hotel and the Jacobs family, this contribution not only demonstrates the strong commitment that Southland Casino has for our community but also reflects our shared vision for animals in need,” McClendon said. “The new Carolyn & Ness Sechrest Animal Shelter and Adoption Center will be a beacon of hope for and a testament to their love and compassion for the animals and people of our city.”
Southland also announced that it is establishing new scholarships with a $537,500 gift in partnership with Arkansas State University Mid-South. Southland is endowing four scholarships totaling $500,000 in honor of esteemed local leaders Mary Toney, the late Cortez Kennedy, the late Frank Martin and Hershel Owens, all of whom have made significant impacts in Crittenden County and at Southland. The remaining $37,500 will help fund the new Crittenden County Promise Scholarships. For those county residents who meet the eligibility criteria, these last-dollar scholarships will cover remaining tuition costs after other aid.
“Southland has always been a staunch advocate for education in our community and a great partner to us at ASU Mid-South,” Debra West, chancellor of ASU Mid-South. “We are so thankful to them, to Delaware North, and to the Jacobs Family for the establishment of these four endowed scholarships, as well as for their contribution to the Crittenden County Promise Program, which is one of only nine promise programs in the state and only the third in the Delta.
“Studies have shown that the benefits of promise programs are far-reaching, as they help remove both the financial and the mindset barriers to college access. Through these scholarships, Crittenden County residents will now know that higher education is a viable and affordable option for themselves and for their children.”
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