LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Publix Super Markets Charities is pleased to announce support of the City of Lakeland’s Parks and Recreation department by making a $1 million donation. As a result, the City of Lakeland showed its appreciation by renaming the park complex— formerly known as Edgewood Park — Publix Charities Park. The complex is home to Common Ground and the Beerman Family Tennis Center.
“We are proud to call Lakeland our home,” said Brian West, Publix Lakeland media and community relations manager. “Given our long-standing relationship with the City of Lakeland, we’re excited for this great opportunity to support local parks with this donation from Publix Charities.”
“Publix Super Markets Charities has changed the face of our community and for that we are extremely grateful,” said Mayor Howard Wiggs. “We see the results of their giving in the smiling and laughing children on our playgrounds. We see the results of their giving in the youth that participate in our sports programs. We see the results of their giving in the thousands of adults that run or walk our trails. Publix Super Market Charities has touched our community and made it the special place that we all call home.”
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as “Mr. George” believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the Foundation with the vision it would continue giving long after he was gone. Under the leadership of Carol Jenkins Barnett, Mr. George’s daughter, Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates. To learn more, visit www.publixcharities.org.
