"When Seeing an Elderly Person Collecting Recyclables Reminds Me of My Parents" Man Donates Money Saved from Milk Delivery Job

Published 12 Nov.2020 15:04(KST)

Letter from a milk delivery man in his 50s. Photo by Gunsan City

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] A story has emerged about a man in his 50s from Gunsan, Jeonbuk, who wanted to help elderly people collecting scrap paper with the money he earned from delivering milk and made a donation.

According to Gunsan City on the 12th, a man visited the Welfare Policy Division on the 10th and handed over an envelope. The envelope contained 300,000 KRW worth of Gunsan Love Gift Certificates, 50,000 KRW in cash, and a letter.

In the letter, the man wrote, "I heard that donations have decreased significantly due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). When I deliver milk early in the morning, I see elderly people collecting scrap paper, and they remind me of my parents."

He continued, "I want to help them. My mother is also a recipient of basic living security benefits and is doing well thanks to government support. I am grateful for that," adding, "I hope this helps them stay warm during the winter. I will continue to donate as much as I can."

He added, "Although it is a small amount, I am happy to be able to donate. This is not to attract attention from those around me," and said, "I will not stop at a one-time donation; I will help again when winter comes. I will fill up their fuel tanks when they run out."

A city official said, "He appeared to be in his late 50s and said he has university-aged children," and added, "Considering that he delivers milk early in the morning, it does not seem that his living conditions are affluent."

Kim Jang-won, head of the Welfare Policy Division, said, "We express our gratitude to the anonymous donor who donated for neighbors in greater need despite not having a comfortable life," and added, "The warmth of the donor will be widely shared so that those in need can have a warm winter."