Gerdau - Dragon Boat Festival Team Two teams representing steel recycler Gerdau’s Knoxville mill participated in Knox Area Rescue Ministries’ 14th annual Dragon Boat Festival at Concord Park on June 18. The team won the Open Division championship at the event. Pictured, from left, are: Cohen Keim, Kaitlyn Keim, Kylie Keim, Chip Keim, Chris Keim, Theresa Miles, Chris Miles, Damyan Hinson, Jack Welch, Karen Miller (front, center), Joey Miller, Blake Adams, Tianna Sellin, Mason Timken, Jena Kreuzer, Sam Beaver, Erika Miller and Johnny Miller.

Employees from Knoxville steel recycler Gerdau participated in Knox Area Rescue Ministries’ (KARM) 14th annual Dragon Boat Festival at Concord Park and won the Open Division championship award.

At the June 18 event, teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and steerer raced in authentic Hong Kong-style, 46-foot-long dragon boats. Paddlers committed to raise pledges to support the life-saving programs that KARM offers the homeless in the community.

Nearly 50 Gerdau employees participated in this year’s event, raising a total of $3,200 through both employee and company-matched donations. Those funds will help the thousands of men, women and children who come to KARM seeking nourishing meals and shelter, as well as assistance with addiction, unemployment and other challenges.

“We have enjoyed a long relationship with KARM through past monetary and food donations, and our employees look forward to participating in the Dragon Boat Festival each year,” Gerdau Vice President and General Manager Johnny Miller said. “This event is a great way to build our internal team while supporting our neighbors in need.”

Knox Area Rescue Ministries, located in downtown Knoxville, provides at no charge up to 1,000 meals daily to anyone in need. The organization also shelters up to 400 men, women and children daily and provides programs to address addiction, educational assistance and employment training.

Gerdau has a robust social responsibility program that focuses on providing community support in the locations where it operates.