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This photo gallery is part of an in-depth profile on Bobby Allison, the Springfield philanthropist who, despite having donated millions to charitable causes around town, remains a mystery.
Bobby Allison donated $500,000 for three indoor basketball courts at the Foster Recreation Center at Missouri State University; as well as to assist with the cost of the MSU intramurals; to help in building the running track and soccer field; the recreation fields (once called the “Taco Bell” fields) at National Avenue and Cherry Street; the north stadium (home to the field hockey team) and the sand volleyball courts. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison donated the lead gift for the $6.4 million Greenwood Laboratory School Event Center. The 23,000-square-foot facility includes a gymnasium and a performance stage. A photo of Betty Allison rotates on the digital sign on the center’s exterior. Greenwood is affiliated with Missouri State University and is on the MSU campus. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison donated $500,000 for three indoor basketball courts at the Foster Recreation Center at Missouri State University; as well as to assist with the cost of the MSU intramurals; to help in building the running track and soccer field; the recreation fields (once called the “Taco Bell” fields) at National Avenue and Cherry Street; the north stadium (home to the field hockey team) and the sand volleyball courts. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison donated $500,000 for three indoor basketball courts at the Foster Recreation Center at Missouri State University; as well as to assist with the cost of the MSU intramurals; to help in building the running track and soccer field; the recreation fields (once called the “Taco Bell” fields) at National Avenue and Cherry Street; the north stadium (home to the field hockey team) and the sand volleyball courts. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison donated $500,000 for three indoor basketball courts at the Foster Recreation Center at Missouri State University; as well as to assist with the cost of the MSU intramurals; to help in building the running track and soccer field; the recreation fields (once called the “Taco Bell” fields) at National Avenue and Cherry Street; the north stadium (home to the field hockey team) and the sand volleyball courts. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison donated $500,000 for three indoor basketball courts at the Foster Recreation Center at Missouri State University; as well as to assist with the cost of the MSU intramurals; to help in building the running track and soccer field; the recreation fields (once called the “Taco Bell” fields) at National Avenue and Cherry Street; the north stadium (home to the field hockey team) and the sand volleyball courts. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison donated $500,000 for three indoor basketball courts at the Foster Recreation Center at Missouri State University; as well as to assist with the cost of the MSU intramurals; to help in building the running track and soccer field; the recreation fields (once called the “Taco Bell” fields) at National Avenue and Cherry Street; the north stadium (home to the field hockey team) and the sand volleyball courts. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison donated $500,000 for three indoor basketball courts at the Foster Recreation Center at Missouri State University; as well as to assist with the cost of the MSU intramurals; to help in building the running track and soccer field; the recreation fields (once called the “Taco Bell” fields) at National Avenue and Cherry Street; the north stadium (home to the field hockey team) and the sand volleyball courts. (Photo by Steve Pokin)In 2015, the name of the Ozarks Counseling Center was changed to the “Betty and Bobby Allison Ozarks Counseling Center.” According to documents with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, the change occurred as a result of a “substantial contribution of funds” by Bobby Allison, “whose philanthropic contributions have assisted a number of organizations and entities.” The money was used to retire the debt on the center’s office building. The center is at 614 South Avenue. (Photo by Steve Pokin)In 2015, the name of the Ozarks Counseling Center was changed to the “Betty and Bobby Allison Ozarks Counseling Center.” According to documents with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, the change occurred as a result of a “substantial contribution of funds” by Bobby Allison, “whose philanthropic contributions have assisted a number of organizations and entities.” The money was used to retire the debt on the center’s office building. The center is at 614 South Avenue. (Photo by Steve Pokin)In 2017, Harmony House moved into a larger facility at 3404 E. Ridgeview St., expanding from 110 to 168 beds. The building previously had been American’s Best Value Inn. The purchase was made with the help of a second lead gift from Bobby Allison. (Photo by Steve Pokin)In 2017, Harmony House moved into a larger facility at 3404 E. Ridgeview St., expanding from 110 to 168 beds. The building previously had been American’s Best Value Inn. The purchase was made with the help of a second lead gift from Bobby Allison. (Photo by Steve Pokin)In 2017, Harmony House moved into a larger facility at 3404 E. Ridgeview St., expanding from 110 to 168 beds. The building previously had been American’s Best Value Inn. The purchase was made with the help of a second lead gift from Bobby Allison. (Photo by Steve Pokin)The Miracle League Ball Field is at 2701 S. Blackman Road at Dan Kinney Park. Bobby Allison contributed $125,000 to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board for the development of the ball field, which enables those with physical and mental challenges to play baseball. (Photo by Steve Pokin)The Miracle League Ball Field is at 2701 S. Blackman Road at Dan Kinney Park. Bobby Allison contributed $125,000 to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board for the development of the ball field, which enables those with physical and mental challenges to play baseball. (Photo by Steve Pokin)The Miracle League Ball Field is at 2701 S. Blackman Road at Dan Kinney Park. Bobby Allison contributed $125,000 to the Springfield-Greene County Park Board for the development of the ball field, which enables those with physical and mental challenges to play baseball. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Sports Town is on West Chestnut Expressway, south of the Springfield-Branson National Airport. It will have 12 soccer fields, seating for 1,500 spectators and a 90,00-square-foot indoor facility with basketball and volleyball courts. According to the Springfield Business Journal, Bobby Allison has pledged between $3 million and $3.5 million to help build it. (Photo by Steve Pokin)The Betty Allison Junior Golf Course, a four-hole course for children, opened in 2002, a few months before Betty Allison died. Bobby Allison, her son, donated at least half of the estimated $200,00 cost. It is at the municipal Rivercut course. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison played a key role in the $1.5 millon renovation of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board’s par 3 Betty Allison Junior Golf Couse at Oscar Blom, 1825 E. Norton Road. The course is nine holes. (Photo by Steve Pokin)The Betty and Bobby Allison campus of Foster Adopt Connect is at 509 S. Cavalier Ave. The nonprofit offers programs for foster and adoptive families, the children in care and youth aging out of the system. Bobby Allison contributed toward a $1.6 million fundraising goal to renovate the building. (Photo by Steve Pokin)The Betty and Bobby Allison campus of Foster Adopt Connect is at 509 S. Cavalier Ave. The nonprofit offers programs for foster and adoptive families, the children in care and youth aging out of the system. Bobby Allison contributed toward a $1.6 million fundraising goal to renovate the building. (Photo by Steve Pokin)The Lost and Found Grief Center moved to 1555 S Glenstone Ave. in 2015 with the help of a generous donation from Bobby Allison, who helped them buy the building. The nonprofit helps grieving children and families. (Photo by Steve Pokin)Bobby Allison worked with management of the Springfield Cardinals to create the Betty and Bobby Allison Children’s Suite at Hammons Field. It’s for youth and non-profit organizations. (Steve Pokin photo)Years ago, Bobby Allison contributed to Mercy’s new neonatal intensive care unit. He gave $2 million in 2012 and another $650,000 the next year. (submitted photo)
Steve Pokin writes the Pokin Around and The Answer Man columns for the Springfield Daily Citizen. He also writes about criminal justice issues. He can be reached at spokin@sgfcitizen.org. His office line is 417-837-3661. More by Steve Pokin
