Yeongdeungpo's 'Warm Seollal'... Continuing Contactless Sharing Events

Up to the 0th, Lunar New Year Greeting Events... District Office Staff Make Welfare Calls and Deliver Contactless Gift Packages... Food and Daily Necessities Packages Worth 50,000 KRW Delivered to 66 Households Including Seniors and Disabled... Unique Video Event 'Lunar New Year Rice Cake Making' Held at Singil Comprehensive Social Welfare Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) has launched a non-face-to-face delivery of consolation gifts to check on the welfare of marginalized groups who find it difficult to be with their families due to COVID-19 ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, helping them to have a warm holiday.

From the 8th to the 10th, for three days, Yeongdeungpo-gu office employees have been acting as "Lunar New Year Love Mail Carriers," personally delivering Lunar New Year consolation gift packages sponsored by the district social welfare council to marginalized households in the area.

A total of 66 households, including seniors aged 65 and over and people with disabilities, were selected as recipients. Employees first call the households to extend Lunar New Year greetings and inquire about their well-being, then visit each home to deliver the consolation gifts in a non-face-to-face manner.

The consolation gift packages consist of food and daily necessities worth about 50,000 won, including rice, ramen, canned tuna, cup noodles, toothpaste sets, masks, and topical pain relief patches.

Until last Lunar New Year, visits were made directly to comfort neighbors in need and deliver gifts, but due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the process has shifted to phone check-ins and leaving gifts at the doorstep in a non-face-to-face manner.

In addition, from the 8th, Singil Comprehensive Social Welfare Center began a "Lunar New Year Rice Cake Making" event with 20 families participating in the "Kkumnarae Bankbook" program, which will continue until the 14th.

First, rice cake kits are distributed to these families, who then record the rice cake-making process using the kits on video, which is posted on the welfare center's YouTube channel in a unique program.

With gatherings restricted due to COVID-19, making it difficult to see each other’s faces this Lunar New Year, it is expected that this indirect meeting through YouTube videos will provide each family with a special memory.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, "We wanted to create an opportunity for the local community to pay attention so that neighbors in need are not isolated due to social distancing caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "We will actively support a culture of sharing that cares for marginalized groups, starting with our employees leading by example."