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Announced in January 2004, Mrs. Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, gave The Salvation Army in the United States bequest in excess of $1.6 billion dollars for the exclusive purpose of building and endowing Kroc Centers in many communities across the country. The gift was one of the largest estate gifts made by an individual in the history of charitable giving.
The first Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center was opened in San Diego, Calif., in June 2002 at a ceremony presided over by Mrs. Joan Kroc. Members and friends of all ages enjoy access to the center’s climbing wall, ice arena, aquatic center, gymnasium, performing arts complex, indoor skate park, family enrichment center, The Salvation Army Church, day watch center, and much more.
The Western Territory received a $250 million share of Joan Kroc’s $1.6 billion-plus gift to the Army, enabling the six centers to be built in the West.
Nationwide Kroc Centers:
Total number of centers: 29
2008: 2 centers opening
2009: 9 centers opening
2010: 11 centers opening
2011: 3 centers opening
Undetermined: 5 centers
Selected cities to receive from The Salvation Army for Kroc Center Development
Central Territory: Chicago, IL; Grand Rapids, MI; Green Bay, WI; Quincy, IL; St. Joseph County, IN; Omaha, NE
Eastern Territory: Ashland, OH; Boston MA; Camden, NJ; Dayton, OH; Massena, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Staten Island, NY.
Southern Territory: Augusta, GA; Biloxi, MS; Charlotte, NC; Greenville, SC; Kerrville, TX; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Morgantown, WV; Tidewater, VA; Atlanta, GA.
Western Territory: Coeur d’Alene, ID; Honolulu, HI; Long Beach, CA; Phoenix – South Mountain, AZ; Salem, OR; San Francisco – Tenderloin, CA.
Courtesy of Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center