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Chester County Press

Uncle Irvin: The Smithson family's generosity

03/03/2015 12:27PM ● By Richard Gaw


A new philanthropic family in the Oxford area has joined the Herrs and Wares with a gift to the Jennersville YMCA.

Recently, the ribbon was cut on the new Smithson Center for the Arts and Recreation. The center was named for the late Bob and Priscilla Smithson and their family. Their son, Oxford businessman Tom Smithson, headed the Y's capital campaign, with help from his brothers and sister. The expansion also includes the new Carol E. Ware Family Wellness Center and other related facilities.

The new Smithson Center will allow the Y to add to the four groups that make up the Jennersville Youth Theater, which has more than 200 members, both adults and children. The Smithsons join the Herr and Ware families, whose generosity made the Jennersville Y happen. These families -- who continue to give back to their community -- cannot be thanked enough.