Retired Police Officer Continues "Returning the Senior Citizen" for 5 Years, Donates Senior Benefits to Community Chest of Korea

The Community Chest of Korea, led by Chairman Kim Byungjun, announced that Bae Haeju, a resident of Buk-gu, Daegu (born in 1956), has continued her philanthropic efforts this year under the initiative titled "Returning the Senior Citizen," marking her fifth consecutive donation.

A letter from Bae Haeju delivered through Community Chest of Korea.

Since turning 65, donor Bae Haeju has been converting into cash the value of various senior welfare benefits she receives each year-such as transportation fare discounts, reduced medical expenses, and access to cultural facilities-and donating the equivalent amount annually. At the end of this year, she once again delivered 255,000 won to the Community Chest of Korea, along with a letter titled "Returning the Senior Citizen (5)," reaffirming her unwavering commitment to giving.

She shared, "I set my donation goal at 20 times, and I have already achieved 25% of it. Since I started giving, many good things have happened in my life. I hope that many people will share the warmth in their hearts with their neighbors."

Bae Haeju began her donations under the name "Returning the Senior Citizen" in 2021, and this year marks her fifth contribution. In 2024 alone, she recorded a total of 68 instances of fare reductions for subways, hospitals, and cultural facilities, converting these benefits into a donation of 217,000 won, thereby consistently giving back to society the value of the benefits she has received.

Notably, Bae Haeju is a retired police officer who has regularly donated to various welfare organizations since her time in service, and she is also known for donating a portion of the proceeds from her essay collection to scholarships for junior police officers, exemplifying her long-standing commitment to sharing.

Kang Juhyun, head of the Daegu branch of the Community Chest of Korea, expressed gratitude, stating, "Ms. Bae Haeju's donations are a deeply meaningful way of enriching her later years through sharing. Her willingness to give the benefits she receives each year to her neighbors delivers a profound message of hope and warmth to the local community."