[Photo] Yeongdeungpo-gu Unveils Love Temperature Tower for a Warm Winter

[Seoul District News] Jongno-gu Installs 'Love Thermometer' and Launches Hope Ondol Campaign & 150 Million KRW Donated by Sim Myung Foundation at Unveiling Ceremony on 22nd ... Lee Soo-hee, Gangdong-gu Mayor, Delivers Homemade Kimchi to Vulnerable Groups

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, attended the proclamation ceremony marking the start of the ‘2023 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’ at Dangsan Neighborhood Park on the afternoon of the 23rd.

This year’s ‘Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’ will run until February 14 next year, with Yeongdeungpo District’s target amount set at 1.9 billion KRW, an increase of 100 million KRW from the previous year.

At the proclamation ceremony, appreciation plaques were presented to outstanding donors who participated in the heavy rain disaster relief campaign, and the chairpersons of the community security councils in each neighborhood were appointed as ambassadors for the fundraising campaign. In particular, Mayor Choi Ho-kwon participated in the donation as Yeongdeungpo District’s first Sharing Leader.

Mayor Choi Ho-kwon stated, “I ask for your great interest so that neighbors in need around us can spend the winter warmly. We will do our best to create a happy welfare city Yeongdeungpo where no residents are left out.”

Jongno District (Mayor Jeong Mun-heon) launched the 2023 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign and held an unveiling ceremony for the ‘Love Thermometer’ in the district office lobby on the 22nd.

To raise residents’ interest and actively promote fundraising activities, a thermometer was installed in the first-floor lobby of the district office building, allowing donors to check the donation status through temperature markings.

Additionally, a photo zone was created for taking certification photos, and selfie sticks and customized signs were provided to encourage participation from passing citizens.

The campaign period is from the 15th of this month until February 14, 2023. The target amount is 1.2 billion KRW, set at a 20% increase compared to the average fundraising amount over the past three years.

Anyone wishing to participate can join the fundraising by accessing the QR code or through the Seoul Community Chest of Korea’s Seoul Branch support account. There is also a method to visit the Welfare Policy Division and 17 neighborhood community service centers to directly donate cash, rice, and daily necessities.

Individuals can process year-end tax adjustments through the National Tax Service’s simplified service without a separate receipt, and businesses will be issued donation receipts. Related inquiries can be made at the Welfare Policy Division’s Welfare Resources Team.

The district plans to distribute the collected donations, food, and daily necessities evenly to vulnerable households in the district (basic livelihood security recipients, low-income families, elderly living alone, disabled persons, multicultural families, etc.) who need urgent support or do not receive public assistance.

At the unveiling ceremony, Mayor Jeong Mun-heon, chairpersons of the community security councils of 17 neighborhoods, and the chairman of the Jongno District Social Welfare Council attended. On this day, the Simmyeong Cultural Foundation (Chairman Lee Kyung-jae) donated 150 million KRW for neighborly aid.

Mayor Jeong Mun-heon said, “The precious donations and goods sent by residents, companies, and organizations will be used valuably for vulnerable residents. I ask for active participation in this campaign that offers warm hearts and hope to neighbors who may feel the cold season even more harshly.”

Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong District, rolled up her sleeves to prepare kimchi for vulnerable groups in anticipation of the upcoming winter season.

With the kimchi-making season underway, on the 18th, kimchi-sharing events were held at various neighborhood community centers starting from Cheonho 2-dong and Godeok 1-dong to Seongnae 2-dong, distributing kimchi to low-income residents. In addition to kimchi, relay sponsorships including pork for bossam and coffee enriched the sharing.

These sharing events, organized by residents working together, were promoted to create an opportunity for low-income families to feel the warmth of the community rather than simply receiving food during this harsh winter amid difficult economic conditions, aiming to foster the driving force to live together in society.

Mayor Lee Soo-hee said, “We are continuing various sharing activities with residents so that neighbors in need can spend this winter a little warmer. I hope this will help spread a beautiful culture of sharing within the community, and I ask for active participation in the Warm Winter Campaign, which runs until February next year.”