Continuing the Momentum with Fall Promotion Strategies Embracing the Spirit of Seorak
Sokcho City in Gangwon Province, which achieved the top rank in the province for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024 for its Hometown Love Donation Fund, has now set its sights on securing the number one spot for a third straight year in 2025.
Sokcho City raised 442.3 million won in 2023 and 800.84 million won in 2024. As of the end of August this year, the city has collected 145.25 million won, marking an increase of about 60% compared to 90.61 million won during the same period last year.
This achievement is the result of on-site promotional efforts and initiatives to expand donations in the first half of the year.
During the Yeongrang Lake Cherry Blossom Festival in April and the Sokcho Beach Festival in August, the city operated promotional booths to inform tourists about the Hometown Love Donation Program and introduce Sokcho’s return gifts. In addition, events such as roulette games and on-site donation activities were held, resulting in about 30 on-site donations.
At the "Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Hometown Love Donation Expo" held in Suwon last August, 10 additional on-site donations were made.
Sokcho’s Hometown Love Donation Fund is being used for a variety of projects to enhance the welfare of its citizens.
This year, the city is implementing a total of four fund-supported projects: building a senior playground, supporting the operation of an internal medicine clinic at the public health center, providing fluoride application and tooth-brushing education for young children, and operating the Starlight Bus for students returning home after late-night self-study sessions.
The "Senior Playground Construction Project," which will include cognitive function play facilities and a park golf practice area, is scheduled for completion in October.
To minimize medical service gaps, the "Public Health Center Internal Medicine Clinic Operation Support Project" began in July, placing a supervising doctor in the clinic to provide regular checkups. On average, 164 residents have received treatment each month since the project started.
The "Fluoride Application and Tooth-Brushing Education for Young Children" project began in July at six daycare centers, initially targeting 207 children. The program is now being expanded to include approximately 900 children aged 5 to 7 who attend daycare centers in Sokcho.
In late August, coinciding with the start of the second semester, the city launched the "Starlight Bus Support Project for Students Returning Home After Late-Night Self-Study." This project ensures that high school students, who previously had to leave before completing their self-directed study sessions due to the last city bus schedule, can now study longer and return home safely.
Sokcho City plans to continue its promotional efforts in the second half of the year.
During the 60th Seorak Cultural Festival and the Sokcho Food Festival (Masupda, Sokcho), as well as the peak autumn foliage season in Seoraksan (October to November), the city will operate promotional booths at major tourist attractions such as the Seoraksan entrance, Yeongrang Lake, and Oeongchi Beach. These efforts aim to raise awareness of the Hometown Love Donation Program and encourage more people to participate.
Additionally, the city will conduct tailored promotional activities by directly visiting companies in Gangwon Province and the Seoul metropolitan area, and by collaborating with local tourism and lodging businesses (such as hotels and condominiums). These efforts will target office workers preparing for year-end tax settlements, informing them of the benefits and participation methods for the Hometown Love Donation Program.
Lee Byungseon, Mayor of Sokcho, stated, "We will continue to strengthen our promotional activities in the Seoul metropolitan area by cooperating with relevant organizations such as the Sokcho Citizens’ Association in Seoul. Through a variety of events linked to local festivals, we aim to make the Hometown Love Donation Program more approachable for both tourists and residents."
He added, "We will actively use the donations to support vulnerable groups and youth, while also doing our utmost to discover new projects that can expand citizens’ access to cultural experiences."
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