Moving Donations and Support Continue Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

Gangdong-gu, Spread of COVID-19 Goodwill Stories... Contributing to Overcoming the Crisis

Two elementary school students from Gangdong-gu donated five disposable masks, a piggy bank, and handwritten letters, asking for them to be given to doctors and nurses struggling due to COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] As COVID-19 continues for a long time, warm movements to help overcome the crisis, such as donations from residents including elementary school students, sanitation workers, and police officers, as well as corporate sponsorships, are continuing throughout Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon).

On March 9, two elementary school students visited the Godeok 1-dong Community Service Center and handed over a piggy bank containing five disposable masks and 21,900 won in allowance money they had steadily saved. The handwritten letter contained a beautiful heart saying, "I saw on the news that doctors and nurses fighting COVID-19 are having a very hard time, so I wanted to help. Fighting, Republic of Korea!" which moved those around them.

On the 23rd, a resident who identified themselves as an acquaintance of sanitation worker Mr. Ban, who cleans Gangdong-gu Office, visited the Welfare Policy Division with an envelope. Inside the envelope were 348,920 won in coins and bills that Mr. Ban had saved over five years. To ensure the donation is used as intended, "I hope it can be a small help to neighbors struggling due to COVID-19," the precious donation was entrusted to the Gangdong-gu Community Chest of Korea.

Warm sincerity from public officials was also delivered to traditional markets struggling due to decreased sales. On the 26th, Police Lieutenant Lee Seung-jae of the Gildong Police Substation, Gangdong Police Station, delivered 500,000 won in cash to the Gildong Bokjori Market Merchants Association. When the association president hurriedly followed him after he left the envelope and asked why, he said, "While patrolling for work, I felt sorry for the difficulties of the merchants I saw and wanted to convey even a small heart. Please use it where necessary, such as for quarantine." Although he firmly declined to disclose the donation, the merchants’ association conveyed the content to the Job Creation Division of the district office with gratitude, allowing this heartwarming story to be shared.

Additionally, residents of Seongnae 2-dong donated 140 masks, an anonymous resident donated 200 bags of 10kg rice, and another resident sponsored 20 hand sanitizers. He left a note saying, "I thought it was enough if only I didn’t get infected, but I was ashamed seeing the efforts of the officials. It’s really a tiny help like dust or ants, but I hope it helps even one person."

Furthermore, support from companies and organizations concerned about neighbors in need also shone brightly. On March 24, Haemaro Food Service, which operates the burger & chicken brand Mom's Touch, donated 10,000 packs of ready-to-eat "Samgyetang" to 40 social welfare institutions such as nursing homes, disability welfare centers, and child welfare facilities. In early April, with donations from Eunpyeong Church, side dishes will be prepared and delivered to about 300 vulnerable households in welfare blind spots. Earlier, Wellkips donated 10,000 masks and Gangdong Nonghyup donated 1,800 masks for COVID-19 prevention supplies for vulnerable groups, continuing the love for neighbors.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, "The warm encouragement and support sent by the local community as one heart are giving hope during difficult times. I thank everyone who is participating in strong 'social distancing' to prevent COVID-19 while narrowing the emotional distance. We will do our best to overcome COVID-19 well and help residents regain their daily lives as soon as possible."

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