GM Hanamaum Foundation, Goodwill Store hold flea market to support workers with disabilities

The GM Hanamaum Foundation Korea held a "Co-prosperity Flea Market for Disability Independence and Goods Recycling" on Thursday at the lawn plaza of Bupyeong-gu District Office in Incheon.

The event was organized in partnership with the Goodwill Store's Bupyeong and Gyeyang branches, IAC Korea and GM Dreams — both voluntary employee groups at General Motors Korea — and the Bupyeong-gu Senior and Disability Affairs Division. Attendees included Hector Villarreal, president and CEO of the GM Hanamaum Foundation and president of GM Korea, Bang Seon-il, vice president of purchasing at GM Korea, and Song Chang-su, director of the Goodwill Store's Bupyeong and Gyeyang branches.

The market featured more than 10,000 items — clothing and everyday goods — donated by GM employees and executives between Oct. 12 and Oct. 23. Proceeds will go toward improving welfare and working conditions for people with disabilities.

Workers with disabilities took part in pre-sorting donated items and helping run the event, joined by 70 employee volunteers. Local residents and GM staff also visited the market to purchase donated goods. The foundation said the combined effort — donations, volunteering and purchases — was designed to expand employment opportunities and generate income for workers with disabilities.

"The GM Hanamaum Foundation has grown alongside the community and has put the value of sharing into practice through social contribution activities in which employees and local partners take direct part," Villarreal said. "We hope this co-prosperity flea market will continue as a sustained effort by businesses and the community to fulfill their social responsibilities together and build a better society."

"At Goodwill Store, workers with disabilities sort, prepare and sell donated items themselves, which supports their employment and independence," Song said. "We hope this flea market will give donated goods a second life and that the donations and purchases will translate into a stable working foundation for workers with disabilities."

Meanwhile, the GM Hanamaum Foundation supports youth career development and self-reliance through a range of programs, including a scholarship initiative for youth aging out of foster care and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics career-exploration activities.

In July, the foundation held a scholarship certificate ceremony at the GM Korea visitor center in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, presenting certificates to four young people in need of social support to help them pursue their dreams and develop their talents. The foundation said it plans to continue providing 20 million won ($15,000) in support this year, including the scholarship awards.