Elderly Paper Collectors in Jongno-gu Gather for 'My Last Donation Club' Sparks Goodwill

Supporting with 800,000 KRW monthly until this December... Providing 20,000 KRW monthly housing subscription savings for foster children, and an additional 80,000 KRW living expense support along with subscription for children nearing protection termination

Members of the donation club gathered this March

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] In Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong), there are about 100 community elders who have gathered to help neighbors in more difficult situations. They are the senior club self-help group called "My Last Donation Club" (Representative Ko Hyun-jong).

Composed of seniors who collect recyclables and those participating in subway delivery services, they have been pooling 1,000 to 2,000 won since 2019 to support vulnerable residents with living expenses, medical costs, and even housing costs for young people.

This year, by sponsoring housing subscription savings and living expenses for foster care children and children about to age out of protection, they are making a significant impact in the community. The motivation came from media reports revealing that these children face economic hardships that make social adaptation difficult and their lives challenging.

From May until the end of this year, foster care children receive 20,000 won monthly for housing subscription savings, and children about to age out receive a total of 100,000 won, which includes 80,000 won for living expenses in addition to housing subscription savings. The total monthly sponsorship amounts to 800,000 won.

Although the elders themselves are not financially well-off, they reflected on their own pasts when they desperately needed help but had no adults to rely on, and thus united in their intention to assist children aging out of protection.

Mr. Moon Dong-pyeong (69), a senior who works in subway delivery and is a member of the donation club, said, "I hope the culture of neighbors helping each other spreads widely throughout the community. We plan to continue gathering small and large contributions steadily to provide additional support to foster care and aging-out children living in Jongno-gu."

Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, "The warm sharing of the elders is a tremendous mental and material support for children leaving childcare facilities or those about to finish foster care, helping them become independent in housing. The district government will also do its best to ensure these children can grow up as respectable members of society in a stable environment."

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