11 Years of Secret Good Deeds Since 2011: A Total of 3,300 Bags, 66 Tons, Worth Approximately 198 Million Won
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The faceless angel once again sent 300 bags of 20kg packaged rice to the Wolgok 2-dong Community Service Center in Seongbuk-gu in the year 2021, the Year of the Ox.
Starting in 2011, this marks the 11th year, with a total of 3,300 bags of rice weighing 66 tons, valued at approximately 198 million KRW to date.
In 2011, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2012, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2013, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2014, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2015, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2016, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2017, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2018, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2019, 300 bags of 20kg rice; 2020, 300 bags of 20kg rice; and in 2021, 300 bags of 20kg rice.
This time as well, the only communication was a brief phone call saying, “I am sending rice early on the 27th so that neighbors in need can have a more secure holiday. Please take good care of it.”
The Wolgok 2-dong Community Service Center, upon receiving the angel’s call, experienced mixed emotions. Park Misun, head of Wolgok 2-dong, said, “Since everyone is going through difficult times due to COVID-19, we were somewhat prepared for the possibility that the angel might not be able to send rice.” She added, “After receiving the angel’s call, we felt respect and gratitude for the continuous sharing despite hardships, and also relief in confirming the angel’s well-being.”
Welcoming the truck loaded with 300 bags of the angel’s rice and unloading it has now become a major event in Wolgok 2-dong. Every year, at dawn when the angel’s rice arrives, about 100 people including public officials, volunteers, and residents out for a walk line up in front of the Wolgok 2-dong Community Service Center to carry the rice in a remarkable scene.
On the dawn of the 27th, when the truck carrying 300 bags of rice sent by the angel arrived in front of the Wolgok 2-dong Community Service Center, the staff efficiently organized the flow of people and guided compliance with social distancing. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the number of people carrying rice was greatly reduced and separate events were omitted. Wearing masks and carrying two to three times more rice than usual, the lenses of those wearing glasses fogged up. However, smiles could not be hidden.
Cases of joining the sharing along with the angel have also continued. In addition to rice and cash envelopes, 100 local elders participated in the ‘100 Elders Sharing 10,000 KRW Each’ initiative. One elder (76, Wolgok 2-dong) who joined the sharing said, “Most of the elderly living alone in the neighborhood receive rice sent by the angel,” and added, “As seniors who should set an example in the village, 100 elders in the community participated in collecting 10,000 KRW each to share even a small happiness like the angel.”
Seungro Lee, mayor of Seongbuk-gu, emphasized, “Due to COVID-19, marginalized neighbors are living with even greater loneliness,” and said, “The beautiful story unfolding in Wolgok 2-dong not only provides emotional support by showing that warm neighbors exist for the marginalized but also creates a virtuous cycle of good deeds where those who receive help go on to help others. We will strive to further honor the angel’s intentions.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
