Selection of Winners for Three Categories of the Gyeongsangnam-do Volunteer Awards of the Year

Volunteer Jo Juseok, Volunteer Organization Hapcheon-gun Volunteer Council, Volunteer Company Korea Gas Corporation Bukyeong Headquarters Selected

Cho Ju-seok (54), selected as the recipient in the volunteer category of the '2021 Gyeongsangnam-do Volunteer Award'. [Image source=Gyeongsangnam-do]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] On the 1st, Gyeongsangnam-do selected the recipients of the '2021 Gyeongsangnam-do Volunteer Award.'

Started in 1991 and now in its 31st year, the Gyeongnam Volunteer Award is the highest prestigious award in the province given to individuals, organizations, and companies who have contributed to practicing love for neighbors and the development of local communities through volunteer activities.

The award categories are threefold: in the volunteer category, Mr. Jo Ju-seok (54) from Tongyeong City; in the volunteer organization category, the Hapcheon-gun Volunteer Council; and in the volunteer company category, the Korea Gas Corporation Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters were each selected.

In the volunteer category, Mr. Jo started volunteering as a barber during his school days and has since established and operated many specialized volunteer groups such as Sujichim (hand acupuncture) and scholarship foundations for 38 years, continuously engaging in activities like repairing houses of love and youth guidance.

In particular, he devoted himself to various fields in the local community to promote the human rights and advocacy activities of people with intellectual developmental disabilities, as well as to improve the welfare of the disabled, youth, and elderly.

The Hapcheon-gun Volunteer Council, in the volunteer organization category, is a volunteer group that has been dedicated to various volunteer activities for vulnerable groups in need within the region since May 1997.

Through volunteer activities such as delivering side dishes to low-income elderly with mobility difficulties, preparing birthday tables for elderly living alone, kimchi-making volunteer work, bathing services for elderly in need before the Lunar New Year, bathing services at nursing facilities, and child safety guardian activities, they have greatly contributed to the revitalization of volunteerism and the improvement of welfare for local residents.

In the volunteer company category, the Korea Gas Corporation Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters established a volunteer group in 1996 and has been continuously conducting community-based social contribution activities.

They have focused on building consensus with local communities and residents, and currently operate three major social contribution programs called 'Onnuri Eoullim,' 'Onnuri Hope,' and 'Onnuri Hanmaeum,' significantly contributing to regional development, spreading the atmosphere of social contribution activities, and establishing a corporate sharing culture.

The Volunteer Award ceremony has been held annually on December 5th at the Volunteer Day commemorative event, but due to the cancellation of face-to-face events amid the resurgence of COVID-19, the awards will be directly presented to recipients by each city and county.

Park Il-dong, Director of the Provincial Autonomous Administration Bureau, said, "Gyeongsangnam-do will take the lead and strive so that more people can participate in the culture of sharing."