A 'Special Bank' Delivering Chuseok Greetings to Isolated Seniors

Jeil Christian Welfare Center 'Social Contribution Activity Donation Bank', Chuseok Care Activities

Jeil Christian Comprehensive Social Welfare Center care volunteers are visiting the homes of elderly people. (Photo by Lee Young-wook)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Young-wook] Jeil Christian Comprehensive Social Welfare Center visited local elderly living alone during Chuseok to deliver holiday greetings and Chuseok gifts.

The event was conducted as a social contribution activity donation bank where care volunteers visit elderly people who are isolated and in need of care due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The donation bank is a volunteer program hosted by the Korea National Council on Social Welfare and carried out by Jeil Christian Comprehensive Social Welfare Center along with 49 other institutions nationwide.

Volunteers visit homes of elderly in need of care to provide cleaning, companionship, and cognitive support. One care point is accumulated for every hour of volunteer work. Care points can be donated or redeemed according to the volunteer's preference.

A volunteer who participated in this activity said, "It is rewarding to be able to deliver warm affection, even if only for a moment, to elderly people struggling with COVID-19 during the holiday season," and added, "I want to participate regularly in activities for elderly people in need of care in the community."

An elderly person who welcomed the familiar care volunteer said, "It was frustrating because it was difficult to go out due to COVID-19 and I did not feel the holiday spirit, but having a visit like this and receiving gifts makes me feel much better."