From left to right: Mike & Jill Thorne, Tim & Jennifer Hawkins, Randy Severe, Dave Croslin and Stacey Bowen.

The Safeway Foundation for District 71 donated $15,000 to Centennial Plaza now under construction along Southwest Court Avenue in front of the Round-Up Ground Thursday. The donation comes from employees of the 18 stores in the district.

“It’s from the employees of stores all the way from Enterprise to downtown Portland,” District 71 Manager Dave Croslin said. “Normally our donations are around $2,000 to $5,000, but Round-Up has been wonderful to us and we wanted to do something in return.”

Croslin said when he took his position three years ago all he knew about Round-Up was that Safeway had a big barbecue. He said he’s so impressed with Round-Up and Pendleton that he’s constantly asking to have his office moved here.

“When I think of all the people with Safeway who have helped Round-Up, and all kinds of people who have eaten at the Hall of Fame Barbecue, it’s some kind of miracle,” Round-Up President Randy Severe said while accepting the donation.

The Centennial Plaza Committee is co-chaired by Round-Up directors Tim Hawkins and Mike Thorne. Both men expressed their thanks for the donation.

“We are so grateful for the support your employees have given,” Thorne said.

“Volunteers are so important to Round-Up, because it’s the work of volunteers that make it possible,” Hawkins added.

Stacey Bowen, the manager of the Pendleton Safeway, said hosting the barbecue is something she greatly enjoys.

“We’ve had foreign exchange students here every year, so Safeway food has been eaten around the world,” she said.

Thorne, who visits other Safeway stores during his frequent travels, had praise for the company.

“We know the business you’re in isn’t easy,” he said as he looked around the newly decorated store. “I’m so impressed with Safeway. Your company should be credited on not standing still and becoming a marketing innovator.”