John Jenkins, president of Jenkins Automotive which includes Jenkins Ford in Buckhannon and Jenkins Subaru-Hyundai in Bridgeport, said, “It’s all about the children. I’ve always had a special place in my heart to help the children. It’s the right thing to do.”

Jenkins Ford has a long history in Buckhannon and that was made possible by community support, according to Jenkins.

“We have been a Ford dealer in Buckhannon for 30 years,” he said. “The community has supported us in so many ways. This was our way to give back to the children of this county who will have a place to go and have good memories. We are really blessed to be able to do this on behalf of Jenkins’ family and employees. It means the world to us.”

Jenkins and wife Sheila, have three sons — Joey, Matt and Andrew — who now have roles in the Jenkins Automotive business.

John Jenkins, president of Jenkins Automotive which includes Jenkins Ford and Jenkins Subaru-Hyundai, speaks at an event to announce the company’s $25,000 gift to Stockert Youth and Community Center.

“At an early age, our children benefited from Stockert Youth and the facilities here,” he said. “Having upgraded facilities is going to allow more children to come here with adequate space to have different functions here. People will be coming here to enjoy the memories together.”

Jenkins said he hopes his donation lets the community know that Jenkins Automotive is behind the multi-purpose gymnasium and that it will spur other donations to see the project through to completion.

Mayor David McCauley said Jenkins was a long-time friend and client and the two recently connected about how to help SYCC.

“Recently, we had lunch and I asked him if he would support our capital program,” McCauley said. “Buckhannon doesn’t have a YMCA so the Stockert Youth and Community Center is the equivalent of our YMCA. For John to become our single biggest benefactor is just huge. This $25,000 puts us over $300,000 on our $450,000 capital campaign. We are edging closer on being able to break ground.”

The new facility will be a true multi-purpose space that can accommodate SYCC’s youth basketball program and other sports but also be a rain location for car cruise-ins, Festival Fridays, etc.

“It’s not just about playing basketball or athletic stuff,” McCauley said. “It’s a multi-use space that will be used not only for the youth but the entire community.”

Debora Brockleman, director of SYCC, said the multi-purpose gymnasium will not only benefit the basketball program but also Camp Buccaneer in the summer, the after school program, the karate program and more.

The Children’s Festival held in September sometimes gets rained out but could benefit from a larger indoor facility. Fall festival and winter activities, concerts and more could be held in the larger space.

The basketball program which must rely on the school system for gym space would benefit by not having to miss games and by also being able to have games throughout the week and not just on Saturdays.

Brockleman added, “I am so thankful we have people like the Jenkins Family in our community. This donation puts us closer to our goal and closer to our start date. I am so happy and thankful for John and Sheila Jenkins. They are wonderful people.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the SYCC capital campaign can contact Buckhannon City Hall at 304-472-1651.