Get to know the Foundations that helped bring the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center to the Shore

Image caption: Richard Henson and Frank Perdue

It’s only appropriate two of the men – Frank Perdue and Richard Henson – that helped bring Junior Achievement to the area have their names erected on the magnificent, gleaming facility that will soon house over 10,000 students a year.

Donating $1.25 million apiece, the Perdue and Henson foundations have prioritized the importance of education on the Shore. The new center will be the first project that shares the names of two of the most respected organizations in our area.

And all for the betterment of our students.

This project would not be possible without the continued support of these two foundations and the principals established by their founding members. The Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center will do exactly what Richard Henson and Frank Perdue always envisioned – help enrich the quality of life and develop strong community members on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The Perdue Foundation

The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation supports the communities where Perdue Farms has facilities and where our associates live and work. The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in these communities by focusing its support in the areas of education, agriculture, the environment, health and social services, public safety and fighting hunger and poverty.

Started in 1957 by Arthur W. Perdue, the initial mission of the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation was to support the libraries and fire companies that served the areas where then Perdue Inc. had operations. Today, thanks to the generosity of the estate of Franklin P. Perdue, the Foundation now awards some 200 grants per year to benefit numerous organizations that better the communities that Perdue Farms calls home. With both Perdue family members and Perdue Farms associates on the Board of Directors and Grants Committee, the philanthropic spirit of the patriarchs of the family – Mr. Arthur and Frank – are continued while the corporate goals and philosophies of Perdue Farms are taken into consideration…a true blend of family and business values.

Frank Perdue was instrumental in bringing Junior Achievement to the Eastern Shore in 1985. His contributions can be felt through every student that receives JA programs and finds careers success from JA lessons.

The creation of the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center will ensure his legacy lives on.

The Henson Foundation

The Richard A. Henson Foundation, Inc., was established to provide for and to assure the continuation of the philanthropic spirit, objectives, and ideals of Richard A. Henson, to enrich the quality of life primarily in the Greater Salisbury, Maryland, area, and to provide challenging opportunities and act as a catalyst for the betterment of the community.

In order to reach and assure these goals, Richard A. Henson provided direction and leadership of the Foundation during his lifetime. Today, it is managed and governed by people who share his attitudes, beliefs, and ideals as to the purposes and goals of community philanthropy.

Richard Henson believed the following principles, when applied to decision making at the Henson Foundation, would impact the quality of life in the local community, and the country, in a very positive way:

• Educating and building good character in our youth through leadership and example.
• Developing entrepreneurial spirit by building an awareness of our free enterprise system.
• Promoting excellence in all endeavors no matter how simple or insignificant the cause.
• Giving the needy, underprivileged, and disadvantaged a hand to help themselves.
• Being a role model and encouraging others to give of their time, talent and personal resources to develop community projects which enhance the well-being of our citizens.

Having the goal to excel in every endeavor, large and small, The Henson Foundation became a lasting legacy for Richard Henson.

As one of the key community members that brought Junior Achievement to the Eastern Shore, Richard Henson’s impact has been felt through our programs over the last 37 years. With the creation of the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center, his legacy will live on forever.