There was a heart-shaped surprise in store for departing ASAP executive director Jeff Jones at Monday’s progress report meeting.
The sponsors of ASAP, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, Bartholomew County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop and Columbus Regional Health President and CEO Jim Bickel interrupted Jones’ closing remarks at ASAP’s community progress report meeting to pay tribute to Jones’ more than two-year volunteer commitment to ASAP.
Jones, a retired Cummins executive, was selected by the leaders to spearhead creating a prevention and recovery system for the community. The leaders said they were looking for someone who was selfless, tireless, a leader who would work extremely hard and would not care about getting any of the credit — instead giving that credit to the ASAP team.
“Jeff, we’ve got a little change to make in the program,” said Jim Lienhoop after the trio walked onto the stage at The Commons.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“You will not find anyone with more passion (than Jeff) for this cause,” Jim Lienhoop said. “His team at ASAP will tell you that there were many difficult moments, many challenges and much tough work over the past two-and-a-half years. Jeff’s passion helped us to stay focused on the goals, rather than the challenges. So we want to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Jeff as he re-retires back to more time on the golf course and more time with family and friends.”
The three men presented Jones with a heart-shaped poster as a token of their gratitude and announced that they were establishing the Jeff Jones Fund at ASAP, which, in 45 days, has raised $63,763 in donations.
The funds will be used to address substance abuse disorder in Bartholomew County, the mayor said.
The retired Cummins executive was surprised by the announcement and was also thanked with a lengthy standing ovation from the more than 200 people in attendance as he ended his tenure as executive director of the organization.
“I’m very proud of this community,” Jones told The Republic after the surprise. “I’m happy that we’re starting to make a difference and I couldn’t feel better about the potential for one of the absolute best possible community systems to help people who need help. We’ve got a lot of good things going and the right people in the right places to make it happen. I’m very proud of what the community has accomplished.”
