Clark Material Handling Co of Lexington has donated one pallet jack to each of eight non-profit organisations in the greater Kentucky Bluegrass region.

After being invited, the groups applied for assistance for their community service or charity work through Clark's "raising hope pallet jack giveaway project." As announced in August, Clark planned to donate six pallet jacks but upped the final number to eight.

Recipients include five Lexington-based organisations: the interdenominational Lexington Rescue Mission, Salvation Army Central Kentucky area services, Newton's Attic educational organisation, Hope Center care programs, Christian Appalachian Project support programs and services; two Georgetown groups: Quest Farm serving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and Scott United Ministries' Amen House serving the underprivileged; and one Winchester operation: Clark County Community Services providing food, clothing, shelter and utility assistance.

Dennis Lawrence, Clark president and chief executive officer, says: "We are very excited anytime we are able to give back to or support our local community. Each of these organisations has a need that will be filled with the pallet jack they received."

In beneficent undertakings over seven years, Clark has contributed more than USD237,000 through company programs, employee activities and its dealer network. In addition, employees have donated more than 4,000 hours to local non-profit organisations. "We believe our employees are among the most generous and compassionate people around," Lawrence says.

The eight pallet jacks carry a collective list price of about USD2,400.

The privately held Young An organisation of Bucheon, South Korea owns Clark Material Handling International and operates the material handling equipment business in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. Bucheon-based Clark International distributes equipment globally through eight sites, supporting 550 dealer locations. Clark has a presence in 102 markets.