[On Site, This Person] Kim Yunha, Head of Fundraising Team at Gwangju Saranguiyeolmae

23 Years of Fundraising in Gwangju and Jeonnam
Inspired by Her Mother to Volunteer Since Childhood
Hope 2025 Sharing Campaign Reaches 116 Degrees
"We Will Identify Local Issues and Build Support Systems"

Yoonha Kim, Head of Fundraising Team at Gwangju Community Chest of Korea.

"In difficult times, I feel that the power of sharing grows stronger. I am always grateful for the warm-heartedness of the citizens of Gwangju."

Kim Yunha, head of the Fundraising Business Team at Gwangju Sarangui Yeolmae, who joined the Community Chest of Korea in 2002 and has been leading fundraising activities in the region for 23 years, described donations as "a bridge of hope connecting the vulnerable and society."

Kim is a founding member of Sarangui Yeolmae. She began her career as an intern at the Jeonnam Community Chest of Korea in 2000 and officially joined in 2002.

At that time, the fundraising organization was in its early stages, and with only four employees, the working environment was harsh and fundraising activities were sluggish, requiring staff to continue fundraising and distribution activities day and night, including weekends.

During cold winters, when running coin collection campaigns at highway tollgates with student volunteers, neighbors who witnessed these efforts would often bring unused coins to donate.

Having engaged in sharing activities for neighbors during tough times, she has worked at the Gwangju Fundraising Association since 2011. In 2019, she was responsible for sharing education projects at the Honam Education Center, targeting kindergarten and elementary school students in the Gwangju, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and Jeju regions.

The reason Kim became interested in volunteer and sharing activities is largely due to the influence of her mother, who always gave to neighbors.

Yoonha Kim, Head of Fundraising Team at Gwangju Community Chest of Korea.

Kim said, "I grew up in a rural village with six siblings in modest circumstances. Whenever Hansen's disease patients from nearby came to the village hungry, my mother always made sure to give them food," adding, "Our house was always bustling with people as my mother shared school supplies, clothes, and tuition with students in the village."

She continued, "My mother always told me, 'Don't just fill your own stomach, but live by sharing even small things with those who are hungry.' Following her teachings, I am currently helping a Myanmar international student who is continuing his studies while working part-time. As he is unable to receive timely hospital treatment due to unpaid health insurance premiums, I am working with several organizations to find ways to help him with medical care and employment opportunities."

Perhaps thanks to Kim's fundraising experience, the Gwangju Hope 2025 Sharing Campaign has consistently exceeded its target amounts. In this campaign, 5.94 billion won was raised against a target of 5.12 billion won, achieving a "temperature of love" of 116.1 degrees.

During this campaign, cash donations increased by about 300 million won compared to last year's 4.105 billion won, totaling 4.402 billion won. In-kind donations rose by about 50 million won compared to 1.49 billion won, reaching 1.54 billion won.

This year, in particular, the achievement is even more meaningful given concerns about reaching the target amount due to the construction industry downturn, political issues such as impeachment, the December 29 Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, interest rate hikes, and rising prices.

Having been with Sarangui Yeolmae for 23 years, Kim feels that the power of sharing grows stronger in difficult times.

Kim said, "Whenever there were major social upheavals such as the IMF crisis, COVID-19, or the Sewol ferry disaster, the power of sharing became even stronger," adding, "This year, too, the campaign heated up with active participation from Honor Society members, local corporations, the Gwangju Christian Council, and various social organizations."

Kim continued, "Sarangui Yeolmae is an organization that pursues social change by forming partnerships with stakeholders through the community fundraising system. It means creating a society where I, my family, and my neighbors come together as one," adding, "We will continue to develop a support system that responds quickly to local issues, discover companies to participate in donations, promote the Good Workplace Campaign, and propose sharing leader campaigns centered on heads of organizations, groups, and hospitals."