Frozen Coal Briquette Donations in the Cold Wave... Seeking Sponsors for 10,000 Briquettes [Curiosity Lab]

The Sharing Temperature on the Love Temperature Tower installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul is showing 67.3 degrees on the 24th. This means that the Community Chest of Korea has raised 67.3% of its fundraising goal of 449.7 billion won for this year. Due to political turmoil and prolonged economic recession, there are concerns that the temperature tower may not reach 100 degrees and the fundraising target may not be achieved this year. Photo by Heo Young-han

With the economic recession, high inflation, and martial law causing social turmoil, interest in helping neighbors in need is declining. Nevertheless, donors from various sectors, including individuals and corporations, are leading the way in giving, keeping the flame of hope alive.

The country's representative donation organization is the Community Chest of Korea, known as Sarangui Yeolmae (Fruit of Love). The three red fruits symbolize oneself, family, and neighbors, while the red color of the fruits represents warm love, and the intertwined stem signifies the creation of a society where we live together in harmony. They receive various types of donations such as regular sponsorship, one-time donations, Good Families, and Good Stores. When donating to Sarangui Yeolmae, donors can receive a donation certificate through the website, and if requested by phone, they send a badge symbolizing sharing. Additionally, regular donors receive various benefits. It is said that there are over 750,000 donors contributing less than 1 million KRW. Notably, table tennis star Shin Yu-bin attracted attention by donating 100 million KRW and joining the 'Honor Society.' The Honor Society is a group of individual major donors who have donated 100 million KRW or more or have pledged to pay within five years.

On November 27, when the Salvation Army charity kettle street fundraising activities officially began, the Salvation Army was ringing bells and conducting fundraising in front of Lotte Department Store in Myeongdong, Seoul. Fundraising activities will be held at more than 316 locations nationwide until December 31. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

The Salvation Army, known for its charity kettles commonly seen on streets during the year-end and New Year holidays, originated in the UK. Although often mistaken as a Protestant charity or thought to be used for religious activities, this is not the case. The Salvation Army also receives support from individuals and corporations. It provides aid to various groups including children, youth, women, multicultural families, the elderly, disabled, emergency relief, and families in crisis. Those interested in volunteering can become Kettle Mates, volunteers who ring the bell and guard the charity kettles. Recruitment continues until the end of the year. The Salvation Army uses Whistler kettles, which are donated by the Whistler company to contribute to the public good and promote their brand.

Established on October 27, 1905, by Emperor Gojong's decree (No. 47), the Korean Red Cross is a humanitarian organization engaged in disaster relief, public healthcare, inter-Korean exchanges, and blood services. The Red Cross also receives regular membership fees and donations from individuals, corporations, and groups. Major donors contributing 100 million KRW or more are designated as members of the Red Cross Honors Club or Red Cross Honors Enterprises.

Officials from the Seoul Briquette Bank are volunteering to distribute briquettes in a residential area of Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

The Bapsang Community Briquette Bank was founded during the 1998 foreign exchange crisis and conducts briquette distribution, free meal services, volunteering, and scholarship programs. As of 2023, it has distributed 4.02 million briquettes to over 20,000 households and served free meals to more than 50,000 people. It accepts both regular and one-time donations. Although briquette prices have risen and vulnerable groups still rely on briquettes, donations have decreased, causing concern.

The organization has launched an emergency sharing campaign called the 'Briquette Honors Leader Club,' recruiting 30 members who each donate 10,000 briquettes. Ten thousand briquettes can provide a warm winter to over 100 elderly households. The Briquette Bank stated, "Amid social and political difficulties, interest and support for vulnerable groups are gradually decreasing. Especially for elderly people relying on briquette heating during winter, this is an urgent matter that can be a matter of survival. General donations are insufficient; social leaders must step forward first and set an example."

Jeonnam Mokpo City is celebrating surpassing 1 billion KRW in cumulative donations through the Hometown Love Donation Program. Photo by Mokpo City

The Hometown Love Donation System allows individuals to donate to their hometowns, and local governments collect these funds to use for residents' welfare. Currently, only individuals (not corporations) are allowed to participate, with a donation limit of 5 million KRW (increasing to 20 million KRW from the new year). For donations, a tax credit is provided: full credit up to 100,000 KRW and 16.5% credit on amounts exceeding 100,000 KRW. For example, a 1 million KRW donation results in a tax credit of 248,000 KRW. Donors can receive thank-you gifts up to 30% of the donation amount. It is also possible to designate donations for specific projects.

By visiting the government-created '1365 Donation Portal,' one can view detailed activities of donation organizations and ongoing donation campaigns. As of the 25th, 1,504 organizations are listed. For those who want to donate through volunteering instead of money, the '1365 Volunteer Portal' is available. After accessing the site, users can search for volunteer opportunities by region, field, and other criteria, carefully review the volunteer details, and apply. As of 2024, a total of 16.24 million volunteer participations (2.04 million unique volunteers) have been recorded annually, with the highest participation among people in their 60s, followed by those in their 50s, 20s, 70s, 30s, and teens.

Volunteers attending the '2023 Good People Love Hope Box Boxing Day' held at Seoul City Hall are assembling hope boxes to be delivered to vulnerable groups. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Meanwhile, Korea Guide Star, an evaluation agency for public interest corporations, assessed 1,126 domestic public interest corporations based on 2023 National Tax Service disclosure data, evaluating transparency, accountability, and financial efficiency. As a result, 50 organizations, representing 4.44% of the evaluated entities, were designated as Star public interest corporations. Five organizations that were initially restricted from evaluation received star ratings after submitting explanations.

Among the 50 Star public interest corporations, 44 received the full three-star rating (★★★), and 6 received two stars (★★). Seven organizations have received three stars consecutively for eight years from 2016 to 2023: Good Neighbors Social Welfare Foundation, Good Neighbors International, Korea Food for the Hungry International, Baboneunam Foundation, Beautiful Store Foundation, Children and Future Foundation, and ChildFund Korea.