"Joining the Fight Against COVID-19!...Gwanak-gu's Donation Relay from Allowances to Masks"

Donation of 100 Fabric Masks Made by Samsung-dong Market Merchants Themselves

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] In Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee), the story of an elderly person who saved their welfare benefits and donated them as a contribution to overcome COVID-19 has become known, and the warm hands reaching out to our neighbors in need continue without interruption.

On the 5th, an anonymous elderly person visited the Samsung-dong Community Service Center in Gwanak-gu and left behind a worn-out envelope.

The elderly person, while undergoing a two-week self-quarantine period, felt grateful for the warm care from the district office and community center staff and decided to donate the welfare benefits they had long saved, saying, "I want to return the help I received to neighbors who are more in need than I am."

The story of the elderly person attracted much attention and concern from many people through various media outlets.

On the 13th, a parcel containing 100 KF94 health masks along with a letter requesting that they be used for the elderly and disabled arrived at the Samsung-dong Community Service Center. The anonymous letter, introduced only as being from a housewife living in Busan, expressed a desire to "join in the great lesson taught by the elderly."

Following the donors' wishes, the Samsung-dong Community Service Center promptly distributed the KF94 health masks to disabled households receiving basic living subsidies who are undergoing kidney dialysis.

On the same day, a merchant at the Samsung-dong Market in Gwanak-gu donated 100 cotton masks that were handmade using a sewing machine. The merchant said, "Since I make them alone, the speed is slow and the quantity is not large, but I hope they reach those who really need them and provide help."

Another welfare beneficiary in Samsung-dong, a 92-year-old elderly person who heard the story, also joined the donation by contributing part of their welfare benefits to help neighbors suffering from COVID-19, drawing attention once again.

Despite the community center staff’s attempts to dissuade them, saying "Please use this to supplement your living expenses," the elderly person donated 100,000 won of basic living subsidy, saying, "It’s not a large amount, so I’m embarrassed, but I hope it is used for a good cause."

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, "Starting with the heartwarming story of the elderly person, many people are participating in a voluntary relay of donations and contributions to overcome COVID-19, and I sincerely thank everyone for their warm support. With the warm hearts of the residents, we will do our best to overcome COVID-19 as soon as possible and restore the peaceful and safe daily life we once had."