Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Donates $1.5 Million to American Red Cross for Tornado Recovery Assistance in Georgia

WEST POINT, Ga., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) announced today a donation of $1.5 million to the American Red Cross to assist with tornado relief efforts in Georgia.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110504/LA96011)

"KMMG is committed to supporting our neighbors, friends and families in the State of Georgia, and our thoughts are with those who were impacted by the recent events," said Byung Mo Ahn, Group President and CEO of Kia Motors America and KMMG. "Since arriving in Georgia we have established a very positive relationship with the state and its people, and we are confident the American Red Cross will utilize this donation to provide valuable assistance where it is needed."

"We are deeply grateful to KMMG for stepping forward with this generous donation, which will go a long way toward helping Georgians affected by the recent tornadoes get back on their feet. This is a fine example of the kind of leadership role at which our corporate citizens in Georgia excel," said Gov. Nathan Deal. "The American Red Cross in Georgia has a long record of proactive, effective disaster response and will ensure this donation has the maximum possible impact on those who need it."

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to build 300,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

About the American Red Cross Tornado Relief Effort in Georgia

Red Cross relief efforts continue in Georgia, where families mourn the loss of loved ones and more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed or heavily damaged. To date, 200 Red Cross volunteers in hard-hit areas of the state are working with community partners to provide shelter, meals, health and mental health services, clean-up supplies and other recovery resources in fixed locations and through mobile outreach. The Red Cross has sheltered more than 300 people in Georgia and served more than 12,000 meals and the numbers grow daily. Three Red Cross shelters remain open.

For as long as it takes, the Red Cross will to be there to help disaster-stricken families get back on their feet, and support struggling communities in their recovery. Anyone who needs information on Red Cross tornado relief services in Georgia is urged to call 1-800-RED-CROSS. To make a financial donation, visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

SOURCE Kia Motors America