The Samcheok City Branch of the Korea Senior Citizens Association (Chairman Park Jae-ok) visited Samcheok City Hall on May 28, 2025, to donate 6.48 million won to the Korea Disaster Relief Association for the recovery efforts following the Yeongnam wildfires, demonstrating warm acts of sharing with neighbors. This is recognized as a touching example of community spirit, showing mutual aid in a disaster situation.

 
Precious Donations Collected Through Voluntary Participation of Seniors

The donation was prepared to help residents who suffered immense damage from the recent large-scale wildfires in the Yeongnam region, particularly in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk, and Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam. This fund was collected through the voluntary "sip-si-il-ban" (gathering small amounts to make a large sum) efforts of seniors at senior welfare centers within Samcheok City. The active participation and warm hearts of the senior association members demonstrated a noble spirit of helping neighbors even amidst economic difficulties.

The donated 6.48 million won will be used by the Korea Disaster Relief Association to support the livelihoods of wildfire victims, rebuild homes, and provide emergency relief supplies. The Korea Disaster Relief Association is a specialized relief organization that provides prompt relief activities in domestic and international disasters, offering practical assistance to affected residents through transparent and efficient fund execution.

 
"To Return the Warmth We Received"… Solidarity in Overcoming Disasters

At the donation ceremony, Park Jae-ok, Chairman of the Samcheok City Branch, stated, "All the seniors deeply remember the help sent from all over the country during the past Samcheok wildfires," adding, "This time, we gathered our hearts to return the warmth we received." In March 2022, the eastern coastal areas of Gangwon Province, including Samcheok, suffered immense damage from unprecedented large-scale wildfires. At that time, countless citizens and organizations nationwide sent donations and supplies, providing great strength to the citizens of Samcheok.

This shows that disasters are not just a problem for one region but a challenge that our entire society must overcome together. The donation from the seniors of the Samcheok City Branch goes beyond mere financial support; it symbolizes the beautiful community spirit of embracing and coexisting in disaster situations. The fact that elderly seniors took the lead in practicing sharing has resonated widely throughout society. This is expected to positively impact the spread of a 'culture of sharing' that helps those in need, regardless of age.

 
Broad Social Contribution Activities of the Korea Senior Citizens Association Samcheok City Branch

The Korea Senior Citizens Association Samcheok City Branch actively carries out various social contribution activities beyond this wildfire relief donation. The branch works with local seniors to promote their rights, improve welfare, and engage in various volunteer activities to foster intergenerational integration and a society where seniors are respected.

Specifically, their activities include: ▲promoting job creation projects to encourage seniors' social participation ▲supporting sports and cultural activities for health promotion ▲providing leisure spaces by revitalizing the operation of senior welfare centers ▲campaigns for elderly human rights protection and abuse prevention ▲local environmental cleanup activities ▲volunteer work to support vulnerable groups, among many others. These efforts contribute to local seniors living active senior lives with respect as active members of society, rather than just being objects of protection.

This donation for the Yeongnam wildfire victims served as an opportunity to reaffirm the values of 'love for neighbors' and 'social contribution' that the Korea Senior Citizens Association Samcheok City Branch strives for. It is hoped that the warm hearts of the seniors will bring great comfort and hope to the residents of the Yeongnam region suffering from the wildfires, and that the solidarity in overcoming disasters will spread further in our society.

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