Nowon-gu Achieves 2023 Warm Winter Campaign Fundraising Goal Ahead of Schedule

As of February 3, with more than ten days remaining until the end date, 3.52 billion KRW has been received... Exceeding the target amount of 3.18 billion KRW

Warm donation news spreads... Including a basic livelihood security recipient donating 2 million KRW, saved over 10 years

Donations accepted until February 14... Via bank transfer or visiting district office and community service centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that the fundraising goal for the ‘2023 Warm Winter Campaign’ was exceeded early ahead of the February 14 deadline.

The ‘Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign,’ conducted in partnership with the Seoul Social Welfare Community Chest, is a representative winter neighbor-helping project that the district carries out annually to support vulnerable neighbors in the community and promote a culture of sharing.

Fundraising began on November 15 last year and is ongoing. As of February 3, with more than 10 days remaining until the end date of February 14, a total of 14,553 cases amounting to 3.52 billion KRW have been received. The target amount was 3.18 billion KRW, making this a heartwarming result despite the difficult economic situation.

Heartwarming donation stories have been reported from various places. On January 3, Mr. A, a resident in his 70s living in Junggye 2 and 3-dong, visited the community service center and donated 2 million KRW, which he had saved from his livelihood benefits over 10 years. He expressed hope that his contribution would help neighbors who are more struggling and in need, as the state and local residents had helped him during difficult times.

An anonymous angel appeared in Junggye Bon-dong. On January 18, an anonymous donor, Mr. B, sent 200 boxes of ramen to the community service center. Mr. B said over the phone, “I hope this can help vulnerable groups who will have a hard winter.” The donated ramen will be distributed to households in crisis identified by the neighborhood leaders through the ‘Door Check Project’ launched this year.

Donations from elementary school students have also continued. On November 16, the day after the donation drive started, first graders from Surak Elementary School visited the Sanggye 1-dong community center and donated 140,000 KRW, which they collected together with their friends with their small hands. Students from Noil Elementary School delivered 2kg of homemade radish kimchi (kkakdugi) to 20 low-income households, and students from Nowon Elementary School delivered 8kg of homemade kimchi to 10 low-income households.

The fundraising will end on February 14. Individuals, organizations, and companies wishing to participate can deposit donations into the Nowon-gu dedicated account or visit the Welfare Policy Division on the 4th floor of Nowon District Office or any of the 19 community service centers to submit donations and goods. QR code donations via smartphones are also available, and donors will receive tax benefits.

Since participating in the fundraising campaign in 2012, the district has steadily increased the amount raised each year and has been actively involved, being selected as an excellent fundraising district for four consecutive years since 2019.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “Thanks to the residents who participated in the fundraising with one heart for the community and neighbors despite difficult circumstances, we were able to achieve the target amount early this year as well. We ask for many residents’ participation until the last day, and we will carefully ensure that the precious warmth is delivered well and that the donations are used where they are most needed.”