Greenville Mayor Knox White announced a $1 million donation to the Honor Tower at Unity Park. The Thomas and Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower will be dedicated to military veterans and first responders, offering a place of reflection and solemnity in the heart of the 60-acre Unity Park. One of the Greenville park’s largest donations to date, Vivian Wong and her late husband were longtime community philanthropists and entrepreneurs. Vivian and her daughter Madina Cauthen were honored at an event attended by more than 100 guests and media. “Being American really meant a lot to them. And I think the vision behind what the Honor Tower stands for was important to them,” Madina Cauthen said of her parents. “Greenville needs a place where they can honor first responders and veterans, and it will be a place of honor.” The Wongs moved to South Carolina from Hong Kong almost 60 years ago. Over the years they built a restaurant business from the ground up, starting in Greenville with the first Dragon Den location. They became successful businesspeople and went on to invest in hotels, industrial projects and international business ventures. They channeled their success into the community and played a pivotal role in changing the face of downtown Greenville. They have given generously over the decades, including donating the land for the Cancer Survivors Park and the Patewood Medical Campus. Vivian has served on the Greenville Tech Foundation’s advisory board, supported community-focused charities like Goodwill and served as South Carolina’s honorary trade ambassador, appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley. The Honor Tower will be constructed just south of the Reedy River, between what used to be Mayberry and Meadowbrook parks. The site location – between the two historically segregated parks – underscores the park’s symbol of unity, city officials said. |