Songpa-gu 'Hope Ondol' Fundraising Reaches 2.5 Billion Won... Surpasses 119% Target

Delivered to 180 Low-Income Households and Social Welfare Facilities

Gichang Construction Donation Ceremony

Geoyeo-dong Children's Donation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) raised a total of 2.51 billion KRW, which is 119% of the target amount, through the '2021 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign' (hereafter Hope Ondol).

'Hope Ondol' is a project jointly conducted by Songpa-gu and the Community Chest of Korea to help neighbors in need based on donations and sharing within the local community.

This year marks the 24th year of Songpa-gu's Hope Ondol project. Despite expectations that fundraising would shrink due to the impact of COVID-19, the campaign exceeded its target, confirming the warmth and love within the local community.

The campaign ran from November 16 last year to February 15 this year. The fundraising target was 2.1 billion KRW, but with 930 million KRW in cash donations and 1.58 billion KRW in in-kind donations, a total of 2.51 billion KRW was raised, successfully concluding the campaign.

Donations came from various sectors including students, residents, businesses, religious institutions, hospitals, and organizations, all extending helping hands to neighbors in need.

Notably, donations with touching stories were received, such as the 'young siblings' who saved their pocket money to donate 300,000 KRW, 'children from daycare centers' who donated proceeds from bazaars, an elderly person collecting recyclables who gave 120,000 KRW asking it be used for neighbors in greater need, an anonymous donor who contributed 1,500 kg of rice, the 'Hope Sharing Market' which donated 1,080 boxes of kimchi, and 'Skin Idea' which donated over 39,000 cosmetic items.

The donated cash and goods were primarily distributed to over 21,000 low-income households and 180 social welfare facilities. Remaining funds will be used for living and medical expenses of neighbors in welfare blind spots or vulnerable groups in the future.

Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu said, “I thank everyone who participated in sharing with neighbors despite the difficult circumstances caused by COVID-19,” and added, “We will further strengthen the welfare network to promote coexistence for all and lead the creation of a Songpa-gu where no one is left behind.”