GS Retail, 'Book Dream X Happy Start' Project... "Improving Reading Environment for Low-Income Families"

On the 9th, GS Retail partnered with Hope Friends Kia Support to carry out the '2021 Book Dream X Happy Start' project.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] GS Retail announced on the 9th that it will carry out the ‘2021 Book Dream X Happy Start’ project to improve the reading environment so that children from low-income families can read books comfortably.

Since 2008, GS Retail has been running the ‘Happy Start’ program to support students from low-income families, and since 2011, it has conducted the ‘Book Dream’ campaign where employees, store owners, and customers donate books. Through the Happy Start program, more than 9,000 middle and high school students have received support for school uniforms, tablet PCs necessary for digital education, and supplies needed for the new semester. Through the Book Dream campaign, 150,000 books have been donated to over 100 community children’s libraries nationwide to date.

This year, to improve the reading environment for children from low-income families, GS Retail decided to support four areas: ▲library remodeling ▲operation of reading programs ▲support of stationery kits ▲book donations. GS Retail will provide 130 million KRW in sponsorship and book donations for this project, and the execution will be carried out by ‘Hope Friends Korea Food for the Hungry International’.

To donate books, GS Retail is conducting the Book Dream campaign until the end of the year, involving store owners, employees, staff, and customers. Customers can donate books at GS25 and GS The Fresh stores where donations are accepted, either in-store or by applying for courier service (limited to the first 100 applicants). Donation receipts can be issued for the donated books, and mobile pop recharge coupons will be given to the top donors and those selected by lottery.

A GS Retail official said, “We have consistently carried out support activities with the hope that young talents facing many difficulties due to economic reasons can grow up in a good learning environment,” and added, “We will continue to strengthen social contribution activities in education for low-income families and socially marginalized groups and do our best to fulfill our role as a sharing platform.”