Update on Augusta’s Kroc Center

Augusta, GA—- It was not just another community event for Marcus White. Saturday many within the Harrisburg community came to this open field to enjoy a festival held by the Salvation Army on the grounds of the future Kroc Center. White says he’s been in trouble with the law and that the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center is helping him change.

Marcus White, Augusta: “They got a jobs skills program and they have a drug program at the facility.”

Workers at the current Kroc Center tell us this new facility getting ready to go up will continue helping people like Marcus and those like him who need help within Harrisburg and the Garden City.
   
Lt. Michelle Wilson, Augusta: “Harrisburg is just the perfect opportunity. The campaign was looking for specific demographic and a neighborhood and Harrisburg was a match on so many levels.”

So far the Kroc campaign has raised $17.4 million dollars. Once it hits 20 million construction will begin.

Lt. Michelle Wilson, Augusta: “All this space all the way to the white chapel on the corner. It’s hard to imagine a building of that size.” 

And it does not stop there.  They will get $33.9 million dollars from the Kroc Estate and an additional 33.9 million dollars in an operating endowment.
Folks at the Salvation Army tell us they are close to a new beginning and that Ray & Joan Kroc would be proud.
Lt. Michelle Wilson, Augusta: “I think they would be amazed at everything that is going on. She really had a heart for ministry and wanted to see the Salvation Army reach people from all walks of life.”

Just to name a few highlights of the new center: Over twenty non-profit services will be provided and approximately one-hundred jobs will be created by the Salvation Army for this facility