Hankook Tire America Corp. has donated $10,000 to the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region to help residents affected by a Feb. 24 tornado. The same storm caused minor damage at the company's tire manufacturing plant. “Helping the community in times of need is very important to us,” says Hankook's Tennessee Plant President Ilhwan Jeon. “Clarksville’s residents have been an important part of our success, so our hope is to support them as they have supported us.”
Hankook celebrated the grand opening of its first North American manufacturing plant in October 2017. Wes Boling, public relations manager for Hankook says the facility sustained "minor damage to non-production areas, but there was no major damage and the plant is on a normal production schedule. Employees who were working at the time followed safety protocol. We are thankful to report that no one was injured.
"A number of employees' cars sustained damage, and this donation aims to help them and other community members recover from the storm. Hankook Tire is committed to the welfare of the Clarksville community and strives to be a good neighbor in this time of need."
Local news organizations reported 75 vehicles in the Hankook plant's parking lot were damaged.
The tire maker's $10,000 donation will be used by LifePoint Church to purchase Visa gift cards for tornado victims in Clarksville.
"It is in times of need that we discover the full impact of a community united,” says Ginna Holleman, CEO of the local United Way. “As swift as the winds that caused the destruction, our local network of support has been far mightier. Hankook Tire's incredible generosity will help mobilize vital assistance for families who have been affected by the tornado."
The donation is the latest in a number of efforts Hankook has made to help the community. Last September the company donated $10,000 to help United Way fill a truck of supplies for Hurricane Harvey victims. Hankook also has a major nationwide partnership with Disabled American Veterans hosting mobile service office stops at partner dealers around the country, including an event in Clarksville.
For more information about Hankook Tire’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, visit http://www.hankooktire.com/global/sustainability.html.
