Gwangyang Steelworks Yeonsarang Volunteer Group Receives Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation

16 Years of Approximately 6,000 Volunteer Activities

Including Side Dish Delivery and Home Volunteer Work

The Yeonsarang Volunteer Group under POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jin-su) received the Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation at the ‘12th Korea Sharing National Awards Ceremony’ held on the 9th at the KBS New Building in Yeouido.

The Korea Sharing National Awards were launched in 2012 to actively discover and reward individuals and organizations that practice sharing to improve the welfare of the people, thereby strengthening social awareness of sharing.

At the Korea Sharing National Awards Ceremony, Ryu Woo-yeol, head of the Yeonsarang Volunteer Group at Gwangyang Steelworks, received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award on behalf of the group.
Photo by Gwangyang Steelworks

The Yeonsarang Volunteer Group at Gwangyang Steelworks was recognized for its contributions in the field of human sharing related to △promotion of social welfare △development of local communities △enhancement of rights for socially vulnerable groups, and received the Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation.

A total of 130 employees of Gwangyang Steelworks formed the Yeonsarang Volunteer Group in 2007 with the sincere intention to provide services truly needed by the local community. Over more than 16 years, they have carried out approximately 5,948 volunteer activities totaling about 22,700 hours, delivering warmth to the community.

Since 2007, they have consistently delivered side dishes twice a month, sacrificing their shift holidays to help local neighbors struggling with basic living needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Centered on side dish delivery, they have also carried out △regular CMS sponsorship △kimchi-making volunteer work △playground cleaning for children with disabilities △disability awareness campaigns, leading by example even in unseen areas.

Additionally, they have impressed neighbors by visiting disabled families at least once a month to provide △cleaning and laundry △improvements to living environments △companionship as part of their home volunteer activities.

In particular, as COVID-19 spread causing gaps in various service supports and care, leading to psychological and economic difficulties for neighbors, they have diligently followed quarantine rules and conducted about 500 volunteer activities since 2020 despite the challenges of volunteering, striving to alleviate blind spots in social welfare.

Ryu Woo-yeol, Manager of Gwangyang Steelworks, who accepted the commendation on behalf of the volunteer group, said, “Volunteering, which started from the desire to help neighbors, has gradually become part of our daily lives. We will use this award as an opportunity to continue more systematic and practical volunteer work.”

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