On behalf of Special Olympics, Chief Administrative Officer John Dow (left) accepts the keys to a 2005 Kia Sedona from Michael Tocci, Kia Director of Regional Operations. Kia Motors donated the minivan to Special Olympics in recognition of its commitment to the improvement of society. (Photo by Diana Roday Hosford. © Special Olympics, Inc.)
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Kia Motors Corporation donated a new 2005 Kia Sedona minivan to Special Olympics in recognition of the movement’s “commitment to the improvement of society,” which Eui-Sun Chung, President and CEO of Kia, said reflects Kia’s core values and sense of social responsibility. On behalf of Special Olympics, Chief Administrative Officer John Dow received the minivan on 11 July 2005 in Washington, D.C., from Michael Tocci, Kia Director of Regional Operations, Eastern Region.
The generous donation was made as part of Kia Motors’ celebration of reaching a significant new milestone — the export of its 5 millionth vehicle. The company held a special ceremony on 24 March 2005 at Pyeongtaek Port, outside of Seoul, Korea, where more than 250 guests marked the send-off. Special Olympics East Asia Managing Director George Smith was present at the celebration to accept the gift on behalf of the movement.
“The achievement of reaching this historic milestone is shared between Kia Motors staff and management throughout the world, our valued distributors and dealers, and, most importantly, our customers, without whom all this would not be possible,” said Chung. Kia Motors, founded in 1944, is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles.
“Kia’s slogan is ‘The Power to Surprise,’” said Dow, “and that certainly rings true with this generous donation. Special Olympics is proud to be recognized by a global company like Kia for its efforts around the world, and sincerely thanks Mr. Chung and the entire company for this wonderful gift.”
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