Nowon-gu, Highest Fundraising Ever (Over 2.04 Billion KRW) Since Launching the 'Warm Winter Project'

Since the 7th Civilian Administration, annual fundraising increased by about 500 million KRW, nearly doubling that of the 6th; participation from 749 companies and organizations, 208 more than last year, marks the highest fundraising since the project's start... Continued involvement from daycare children, elementary students, basic livelihood recipients, and district office officials

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it has exceeded its fundraising target in the ‘2020 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’ conducted together with the Community Chest of Korea.

The total amount raised from November last year to February 19 this year was 2,047,260,000 KRW, consisting of 684,980,000 KRW in donations and 1,362,280,000 KRW in goods, which is 117% of the target amount of 1,751,000,000 KRW.

The 2,047,260,000 KRW is the highest fundraising amount since Nowon-gu started the ‘Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’.

In particular, under the 7th local government administration, the fundraising amount has nearly doubled compared to the 6th administration. ▲2018 Warm Winter Campaign raised about 1,090,000,000 KRW ▲2019 Warm Winter Campaign raised about 1,591,000,000 KRW, increasing by about 500,000,000 KRW each year, reaching 2,047,260,000 KRW this year.

This is because support from children, students, companies, and religious organizations continued steadily despite the ongoing economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

During the campaign period, the district operated fundraising desks at 19 community service centers to spread a culture of donation in the local community. Donation participation notices were sent to companies, organizations, and residents, and fundraisers actively recruited donors by visiting them in person.

As a result, participation from local companies and organizations increased to 749, up by 208 from 541 last year. Donations came from groups such as the Nowon-gu National and Public Daycare Center Association (about 21 million KRW) and Wolgye Siyoung High-rise Apartment (7.5 million KRW), while goods were donated by Gwangyeom Church (worth about 73.34 million KRW) and Ddukkeobi Wang Food Mart (worth about 35 million KRW), among others.

Children also sent donations and goods they had carefully collected to the community service centers. About 20 elementary students from Taerang (Gongneung 2-dong) donated 26 sets of kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) made from radishes they grew themselves throughout the year to be delivered to neighbors in need. Since 2001, children at Hoho Daycare Center (Wolgye 1-dong), who have been saving coins in ‘Praise Piggy Bank Neighbor Helping’ whenever they keep promises with their parents, donated about 460,000 KRW to participate in the warm winter campaign.

Nowon-gu office officials also donated 37.8 million KRW, more than double last year’s amount.

Additionally, those promoted participated in donations by receiving 660 kg of rice (worth about 1.69 million KRW) instead of congratulatory flower arrangements sent by employees and acquaintances.

Hagye 2-dong Community Service Center held an event where the head of the district acted as a daily auctioneer, auctioning off donated items unused at home to generate proceeds, delivering 3.03 million KRW.

General residents also joined the donation movement. An anonymous donor who graduated from high school and is working, having received an 800,000 KRW Dream Scholarship from the Nowon Education Welfare Foundation due to academic difficulties, donated 400,000 KRW. Elderly recipient Kang ㅇㅇ (76), living on basic livelihood security benefits, donated 500,000 KRW saved over several years by economizing on living expenses, asking that it be used for neighbors more in need than themselves.

The district plans to send letters of participation and gratitude to all donors who took part in this campaign. The donated money and goods will be used to support low-income households with unstable housing and livelihood due to sudden unemployment or financial difficulties, neighbors with illnesses who cannot receive proper treatment, low-income youth needing tuition, and other residents below 120% of the median income.

To raise residents’ interest in the ‘Warm Winter Campaign’ and inform them of real-time fundraising status, a ‘Love Temperature Tower’ was installed in the plaza in front of Lotte Department Store Nowon Branch and inside the district office to show residents the real-time fundraising temperature.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “Although it was expected that achieving the initial target would be difficult due to the economic situation, the active participation of local residents led to exceeding the target amount. I thank everyone who participated in the donation.”

Welfare Policy Division 2116-3652