Year-End Social Contribution in Furniture Industry, Warm Neighborly Love Melting the Cold Wave Catches Attention

Neps, Emons, IKEA, Simmons, and Others Engage in Various Activities for Local Community Neighbors

Neps, 'Dream Furniture Donation' Project in Progress.
[Photo by Neps]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Although year-end activities of companies have been restrained due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the furniture and living industry is actively engaging in continuous social contribution activities to practice neighborly love. Notably, unique social contribution activities stand out, ranging from volunteer work to improve the living environment of children in local communities to Mecenat activities aimed at fostering cultural projects.

Supporting Children's Dreams through Space Transformation, NEPS' 'Dream Furniture Donation'

Recently, companies have been contributing to the healthy growth and environmental improvement of children by conducting various social contribution activities that provide practical help to children who will lead the future of local communities.

NEPS, based on its corporate philosophy "Space transformation starts with NEPS" and the expertise of a comprehensive furniture company, is carrying out various social contribution activities for underprivileged children. Since 2007, it has been steadily continuing the 'Dream Furniture Donation' project for 14 years, transforming old furniture into new dream furniture for regional children's centers nationwide, and has donated kitchen furniture and general furniture for children to a total of 147 regional children's centers to date.

At the recent Dream Furniture Donation event held at the Green River Regional Children's Center located in Macheon-dong, Songpa-gu, NEPS employees participated in various volunteer activities from construction to furniture installation and indoor organization, contributing to improving the healthy living environment of the institution's children.

In addition, NEPS has been awarding scholarships to children benefiting from the Dream Furniture project through the 'NEPS Dream Scholarship' program, delivering scholarships to a total of 262 children from 2010 to the present.

Warm Hearts Delivered to Special Places, from Opera Troupes to Army Soldiers

Sponsorship activities for cultural artists and military personnel who are going through difficult times due to COVID-19 also attract attention.

Emons Furniture has maintained a partnership with the Ganghwa Jabetto Opera Troupe since starting sponsorship with the opera 'Aida' in 2007, continuing support for 14 years. To contribute to the development of the opera troupe and the fostering of cultural projects, it provides production support funds annually to the Beseto Opera Troupe and supports classic furniture needed for opera performances, among various cultural and artistic sponsorship activities.

Bodyfriend donated massage chairs to help army soldiers manage their condition, recover from fatigue, and boost morale amid restricted leave and outings due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. In November, only the minimum number of personnel necessary for installation were deployed to deliver a total of 20 massage chairs to the Army 1st Division headquarters and soldiers' rest areas.

Social contribution activities of IKEA Korea (left) and Simmons Bed.
[Photo by each company]

Diverse Activities Leading Meaningful Changes in Local Communities

Beyond targeting specific groups, as corporate interest in solving social issues and development increases, social contribution activities aiming at environmental and local economic revitalization are also on the rise.

IKEA Korea recently signed a strategic business agreement with the Seoul Design Foundation to create a resource-circulating society through sustainable design. IKEA Korea plans to closely cooperate with the Seoul Design Foundation in various fields to explore diverse opportunities for creating a resource-circulating society by utilizing discarded resources and to raise awareness and encourage practice of sustainable living.

Simmons Bed continuously conducts social contribution activities for coexistence with the Icheon region in Gyeonggi-do, where its main business site is located. In particular, it contributes to revitalizing the local economy through the 'Farmers Market,' which promotes agricultural and specialty products produced by local farmers and enables consumers to purchase them directly. In October, it held a Farmers Market under the theme 'Support Icheon' to assist farms in the Ichon area damaged by COVID-19 and record-breaking monsoon rains.

An industry official stated, "Recently, companies are contributing to improving the quality of life of local residents through various social contribution activities that provide practical help to local communities and lead meaningful changes."

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