Gwanak-gu Achieves 2.19 Billion Won in Hope Ondol Warm Winter Fundraising

Exceeded fundraising goal with 2.19 billion KRW, 40 million KRW more than last year amid prolonged COVID-19... Support continues from companies, various community groups, religious organizations, and individual donors

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic causing difficulties for everyone, the warm-heartedness of Gwanak-gu residents remained unwavering.

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) announced that it raised 2.19 billion KRW, far exceeding the target amount of 1.7 billion KRW in the ‘2021 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’ project.

As a result of actively engaging residents in the ‘2021 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’ conducted since November last year, the district raised 950 million KRW in donations and 1.24 billion KRW in goods, surpassing the goal.

Despite the absence of major donors and corporations compared to other local governments, many companies such as Tandy, Seogwang Industry, Yeong-eun Power, Sein Together, Neo Environment, Gwanak Nonghyup, and Gwanak Saemaeul Geumgo consistently donated funds. Various resident organizations, religious groups, industry associations, and individual donors also extended their support.

Contrary to expectations that fundraising would decrease significantly this year due to the COVID-19-affected local economy, the helping hands extended to neighbors in greater need remained warm despite everyone’s hardships.

The stories of warm hearts were diverse, including local marts, small flower shops, elderly couples who saved pocket money received from their children, church members who personally prepared daily necessities packages for neighbors, clinics that collected donations from patients, and residents who left donations and goods anonymously.

Additionally, Gwanak-gu public officials participated in sharing activities by donating 99 million KRW collected monthly from a portion of their salaries over the past year to the Seoul Community Chest of Korea to support neighbors in need.

A total of 12,805 sponsorships were delivered through this fundraising campaign, supporting approximately 26,500 individuals (locations) including low-income families and social welfare facilities (institutions).

The goods were distributed to elderly living alone, disabled persons, and single-parent families, while the donations will be used year-round for living expenses, medical costs, education fees, and heating bills for neighbors in need.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “Even during these difficult times due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, I was deeply moved and hopeful by the residents’ hearts who put their neighbors before themselves. Achieving this fundraising goal is a result made possible by all the residents who united their warm hands in one heart and one mind. I sincerely thank everyone who participated in reaching the sharing target.”

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