Donation Goal Surpassed for Hometown Love Designated Fundraising
County Launches 'Pediatrician' and 'Stray Animal Protection Center' Projects
Gokseong County, South Jeolla Province, announced on the 15th that it has surpassed its fundraising goal of 188.6 million KRW for the third designated donation project, the "Village Laundry Project for Senior Care," following "Gift a Pediatrician to Gokseong Season 1 (Visiting Medical Service)" and Season 2 (Resident Doctor Service).
As one of the regions facing population extinction, Gokseong County began fundraising for the "Village Laundry Project" through the Hometown Love Donation Program on July 25 last year, aiming to address the inconveniences faced by seniors due to aging and to foster social consensus.
To garner empathy from urban youth and encourage donations, a grandmother residing in Gokseong sent handwritten thank-you letters filled with her life stories and sincerity to donors.
The grandmother's handwritten letters became a sensation on social media, sparking numerous comments. User "Sil**ni" wrote, "I just thought of donating money, but why are you making me cry? Please stay healthy, grandmother. And use the laundry room ten, a hundred, a thousand times." User "c****y" commented, "The emotional impact of the grandmother's handwritten letter is far greater than any year-end tax benefit."
After the handwritten letters were delivered to donors, more people originally from the region, especially among urban youth, began to support and participate in donations for the Village Laundry Project. As a result, the fundraising goal was surpassed in just nine months.
The Village Laundry Project will be implemented in two locations within the county that have particularly high aging rates. The donations raised will be used for setting up the laundry facilities, purchasing items such as washing machines, and operating delivery vehicles.
An elderly woman who wrote a handwritten letter is hand-washing blankets at her home. Provided by Gokseong County
Meanwhile, in addition to the Village Laundry Project, the county is currently raising funds through Gohyang-eum, WeGive, Nonghyup, and four other banks for the "Gift a Pediatrician to Gokseong - Season 2" project, which supports the salary of a resident doctor so that local children can continue to receive pediatric care, as well as the "Stray Animal Protection Center Operation Support Project," which aims to promote adoption over euthanasia for abandoned animals in the region.
County Governor Cho Sangrae said, "I sincerely thank the more than 1,500 donors who participated in the Village Laundry Project," adding, "We will deeply cherish the heartfelt support for Gokseong and swiftly implement the project so that local seniors can rest comfortably under clean blankets."
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