What Did the Basic Livelihood Security Recipient Grandmother from Samsung-dong, Gwanak-gu Leave Behind with 1 Million...?

An Elderly Person Donates 1 Million Won Saved from Welfare Benefits, Saying "It's My Turn to Give Back for the Help I've Received," Hoping It Will Be Used for Neighbors in Greater Need During These Difficult Times for the Entire Nation

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The story of an elderly resident in Gwanak-gu who donated 1 million won, which they had diligently saved by economizing on their basic living allowance, is warming hearts frozen by COVID-19.

On the 5th, an elderly person visited the Samsung-dong Community Service Center in Gwanak-gu. Wearing multiple layers of protection including a mask and gloves, the elderly person handed over a worn-out envelope to the staff and quickly disappeared.

When the community center staff hurriedly followed to ask about the story, the elderly person said, "This is not something to be publicized," and requested to donate anonymously, sharing only a brief story.

The elderly person is a basic livelihood security recipient living in rental housing in Samsung-dong and was notified as a COVID-19 self-quarantine subject after going out for an appointment last month.

During the two-week quarantine, they felt grateful for the essential supplies delivered generously by Gwanak-gu Office and the community center, as well as the warm daily phone calls checking on their health and well-being.

The elderly person shared that they had gone through difficult times, even contemplating ending their own life due to hardship, but were able to overcome it after becoming a basic livelihood security recipient with the help of Gwanak-gu in 2011.

They said, "Now it is my turn to give back for the help I have received," and expressed the wish that "this money be used for neighbors who are in more difficult situations than I am," donating the precious 1 million won they had saved by economizing their allowance.

The district plans to promptly deliver the entire donated amount as a contribution to the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, which have been severely affected by COVID-19, in accordance with the elderly person's wishes.

Park Jun-hee, the district mayor, said, "It is truly admirable that despite the amount being tight even for living expenses, the elderly person generously donated the precious money they had saved over several years as a contribution. I deeply appreciate the meaningful hearts of each citizen who supports us unitedly to overcome this crisis."

He added, "We will do our utmost to protect the health and safety of our citizens from the COVID-19 crisis and to restore daily life as soon as possible."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.