Gwangju Shinsegae Launches 'Hope Santa Expedition' Marking Its 20th Anniversary

Leading Efforts for Regional Coexistence and Support for Underprivileged Groups Since 2003

Gwangju Shinsegae Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Dong-hoon), as a local corporation, has launched the 'Hope Santa Expedition' to practice coexistence with the community, and it has been inaugurated again this year.

According to Gwangju Shinsegae on the 20th, the inauguration ceremony of the Hope Santa Expedition, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, was attended by CEO Lee Dong-hoon, Kim Eun-young, Head of the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters, and about 50 Gwangju Shinsegae executives and employees.

At the inauguration ceremony, CEO Lee Dong-hoon and Gwangju Shinsegae employees donated 10 million won to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters. The donation prepared by Gwangju Shinsegae is planned to be used as heating expenses for 50 vulnerable households through the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation.

After the inauguration ceremony, the Hope Santa Expedition met with 20 students living in group homes in the Seo-gu area and donated winter coats, shoes, and other gifts.

The Hope Santa Expedition is a representative social contribution activity of Gwangju Shinsegae. Since its inception in 2003, it has practiced sharing every year. Until last year, the Hope Santa Expedition delivered briquettes, but as the number of households using briquettes has decreased, this year it has been replaced with items needed by the beneficiaries. Gwangju Shinsegae carefully selected gifts by receiving wish applications from the recipients to prepare meaningful presents.

Gwangju Shinsegae, which opened in 1995 as the first local branch outside the metropolitan area, was established as a local corporation to pursue coexistence with the community. Aiming for coexistence with the region, it is conducting various programs such as the Hope Santa Expedition, Gwangju Shinsegae Scholarship for nurturing local talents, and the Hope Delivery campaign supporting treatment expenses for children with incurable diseases.

CEO Lee Dong-hoon said, “The Hope Santa Expedition is a representative social contribution activity that Gwangju Shinsegae has continued for the past 20 years to coexist with the local community,” and added, “We ask for the continued interest and love from the local residents so that it can continue to the 30th and 40th anniversaries.”

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho yjm3070@asiae.co.kr