Hankook, DAV partnership expands veterans' services

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hankook Tire America Corp.'s continued support of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) helped the organization expand its reach and services this year.

Those efforts resulted in tripling the number of Hankook-sponsored DAV Mobile Service Office (MSO) stops, which provided free services to 355 veterans and their families, the most since the program was launched in 2015, Hankook said.

Marc Burgess, DAV National adjutant and CEO, said DAV is honored to have Hankook's continued support, helping "hundreds in the veteran community improve and enhance their lives by providing them with the necessary services they need. We look forward to this growing partnership and continuing to help offer America's veterans the necessary recognition and support they richly deserve."

From August-October, Hankook partnered with tire dealerships to host six MSO stops that served veterans in communities throughout California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

The aim of the program is to shorten the distance veterans may need to travel to access benefits to which they are entitled. At each MSO location, certified DAV benefits advocates conducted interviews with veterans and their families and assisted in filing 188 claims.

Hosting MSO events this year were Black's Tire in Fayetteville, N.C; Discount Tire Center in Yucca Valley, Calif.; Major League Tire in Mentor, Ohio; CJ's Tire in Fairless Hills, Pa.; Gateway Tire in Clarksville, Tenn.; and Russo Tires in Doral, Fla.

"Hankook Tire's commitment to the veteran community is at the core of our business, and we're proud to continue our partnership with DAV," Hankook Tire American President Hosung Suh said.

"We greatly appreciate the support from all of our local tire dealers who host events that make it easy for our local heroes and their loved ones to get the assistance they deserve."

In addition to partnering for MSO events, Hankook and DAV sponsored all five of the Cincinnati Reds' Military Appreciation Day events, which were held throughout the Major League Baseball season.

Prior to the game on May 20, Jae Bum Park, Hankook Tire America's senior vice president, presented DAV National Commander Dave Riley with $150,000 to demonstrate the tire maker's support of veterans oragnization and its services.

Additional information about the Hankook-DAV partnership is available at dav.org/hankook.