Seng and Kim Hong’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and gratitude. In 1979, the couple fled Cambodia after surviving the violence and devastation of its infamous Killing Fields. Arriving in the United States as refugees with fewer than four dollars and only a small box of belongings, they began rebuilding their lives from the ground up.

Despite facing countless challenges, Seng remained committed to education. After earning his GED, he attended college before completing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Mississippi State University. The family eventually settled in Ohio, where Seng earned his Ph.D. and built a successful consulting career supporting projects for the U.S. Air Force.

Never forgetting the opportunities given to them, Seng and Kim chose to give back. Through Greene Giving, they established the HONG Foundation (Helping Others Nurture Growth) to help the coming generation pursue educational opportunities and reach their full potential.

The Hong family’s journey from arriving in America with almost nothing to creating opportunities for future generations is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact generosity can have. Their story is not only one of overcoming adversity but also of paying forward the kindness and opportunities that helped them build a new life.