Gangbuk-gu Shares 1,995 'Bombom' Masks with Neighbors

8 Resident Groups, 26 Organizations, 241 Residents Participate in Making 1,995 'Bombom' Masks... Distributed to Neighbors in Need via Health Center and Community Centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] As the COVID-19 pandemic continues for an extended period, Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Gyeom-su) shared 1,995 "Bombom" masks made by residents in collaboration with the Gangbuk-gu Health Ecosystem Creation Project Group, Gangbuk-gu Village Autonomy Center, Seoul Northern Dure Cooperative, Hansalim Seoul Gangbuk District, Gangbuk-gu Regional Community Network Gangbuk Village, Gangbuk-gu Private Governance Council, and Gangbuk-gu Social Economy Integrated Support Center with neighbors.

The "Bombom" mask sharing activity, named with the hope that a "spring" without COVID-19 will come with the warm stone "bom" (spring), was carried out within a tight schedule of three weeks.

Starting from the end of March, local communities created cotton mask production kits at a local sewing cooperative and distributed them to organizations and residents who wished to participate. Eight resident groups, 26 organizations, and 241 residents took part in the production, making masks by hand sewing and using sewing machines.

During this process, participants shared certification photos and impressions on social media, exchanging the sentiment that everyone can unite to overcome the COVID-19 situation.

"Making masks for someone who really needs them gave me strength as well."

"It was nice to check on neighbors' well-being while sharing masks."

These are impressions posted by residents who participated in making and sharing Gangbuk-gu's "Bombom" masks on the SNS communication channel. A district official said, "These days, when many people feel depressed due to 'corona blue,' the mask sharing activity is meaningful not only because it cares for neighbors' health and safety but also because by participating in overcoming the current situation, local residents themselves can feel happiness and take care of their minds."

The produced masks were distributed through community centers, health centers, welfare centers, and local organizations to children at local child centers, out-of-school youth, elderly people in difficult situations, people with disabilities, apartment security guards, volunteers for quarantine and meal delivery, elderly and disabled care workers, and health-vulnerable groups. In addition to 1,995 masks, 12,000 filters, 870 hand sanitizers, and 500 soaps were also delivered.

Song Young-sook, Executive Director of the Gangbuk Sharing Care Cooperative, which carries out care activities for the disabled and elderly, expressed gratitude, saying, "Care workers and activity supporters have to wear masks all day because they face patients with severe illnesses who are vulnerable to infection. We were anxious because it was difficult to purchase masks, so receiving this great gift made me personally feel the power of the community."

District Mayor Park Gyeom-su said, "I thank the residents who contributed to quickly overcoming COVID-19 and creating a healthy local community," and added, "The district will not spare administrative support to ensure that the warm hearts of the makers are well delivered to neighbors."

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