Gwangju Saranguiyeolmae, 'Hope 2025 Sharing Campaign' Reaches 116.1 Degrees

Exceeded the Target Amount by 825 Million Won

The Gwangju Community Chest of Korea successfully concluded the year-end and New Year neighbor support intensive fundraising campaign, "Hope 2025 Sharing Campaign." Photo by Gwangju Community Chest of Korea

Gwangju Community Chest of Korea (Chairman Park Cheolhong, hereafter referred to as Gwangju Sarangui Yeolmae) announced on the 3rd that it has successfully concluded the year-end and New Year’s intensive fundraising campaign, ‘Hope 2025 Sharing Campaign’.

The campaign, which began with a launch ceremony at the May 18 Democracy Square on December 1 last year and lasted for 62 days, raised 5.945 billion won in donations, surpassing the target amount of 5.12 billion won and achieving a “Love Temperature” of 116.1 degrees.

During this campaign, cash donations increased by about 300 million won compared to last year’s 4.105 billion won, reaching 4.402 billion won. In-kind donations also rose by about 50 million won from last year’s 1.49 billion won, totaling 1.54 billion won.

This year, despite unstable and challenging circumstances such as the impeachment crisis, the Jeju aviation accident, and economic downturn, the meaning of the campaign was heightened as Gwangju citizens and companies came together to collect donations for marginalized neighbors.

During the campaign period, three new members (Yang Oyeol, Kim Dongwon, Lee Hyungseop) joined the ‘Honor Society’ (a group of individual donors who contribute over 100 million won), and donations made directly or through connections by Gwangju Honor Society members reached 1 billion won, contributing to raising the “Sharing Temperature” by more than 20 degrees.

Corporate contributions to the local community also fueled the spirit of sharing. Two new corporations (Korea Rural Community Corporation and Daeyoung Partners) joined the ‘Sharing Prestige Company’ program (for corporations donating over 100 million won), and corporate donations continued from companies such as Sebang Group, Bohae Brewery, Kia, Gwangju Bank, National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Gwangju Headquarters, Hwain Deco, and Gold Class.

Grassroots donations from Gwangju citizens also continued. Children from daycare centers and elementary schools held “Anabada Sharing Markets” and donated the proceeds. Children from local children’s centers donated their allowances, families made donations in the names of their pets, and the Gwangju Christian Council held a fundraising event for a warm winter, all contributing to raising the “Love Temperature.”

The donations collected during the campaign will be widely used to address social issues worsened by economic instability and to strengthen the local social welfare safety net, including: safety and welfare support projects to fill care gaps; customized regional welfare projects; rapid support for families in crisis; and emergency living and medical expense support projects.

Park Cheolhong, Chairman of Gwangju Sarangui Yeolmae, said, “After launching the campaign, there were concerns about reaching the target amount due to social disasters, political issues, rising interest rates, and inflation. However, the spirit of solidarity among Gwangju citizens, who have always looked out for each other even in difficult times, made it possible to achieve a ‘Sharing Temperature’ of 116.1 degrees. We will ensure that these precious donations are delivered to neighbors in need and social welfare facilities and institutions, so that they do not lose hope and can overcome difficult situations.”

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