Gangseo-gu launches winter charity drive with W3b goal

Seoul's Gangseo-gu has launched a charity campaign with a goal of raising 3 billion won ($2.21 million) to help vulnerable residents through the winter.

The district said it will run the "2027 Huimang Ondol Warm Winter" campaign for three months, from Sunday through Feb. 14 next year.

The campaign is a public-private partnership in which residents, businesses and organizations pool cash donations and in-kind contributions to support disadvantaged groups.

Gangseo-gu raised 8.06 billion won during last year's "2026 Huimang Ondol Warm Winter" campaign, topping all 25 Seoul autonomous districts for the second consecutive year — a record high for both the district and the city.

This year's campaign carries the slogan "A Happy Gangseo Changed by Giving" and sets a fundraising target of 3 billion won, up 500 million won from the previous year's goal.

To broaden public participation, the district will run programs including a "Giving Relay" and a "Piggy Bank of Love" coin-collection drive.

A launch ceremony will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the central hall on the first floor of the Magok integrated district office. About 120 people are expected to attend, including Gangseo-gu District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon and representatives from the Seoul Community Chest of Korea, the Social Welfare Institutions Association, and child-care center and kindergarten federations. The event will include a formal handover of cash donations and in-kind gifts.

The ceremony will also mark the unveiling of a new digital "Donors' Hall of Fame" installed on the first floor of the integrated district office.

Visitors will be able to search a list of community donors on a large LED display and make small donations on the spot through a kiosk. The installation carries added significance as a symbol of giving at the integrated district office, which relocated to Magok for the first time in 49 years.

Resident-driven programs are also drawing interest.

The "Giving Relay" works by having donors recommend the next participant, with each donor sharing a photo of their contribution on the district's website and social media to spread a cycle of giving.

The "Piggy Bank of Love" drive will involve about 9,200 children from 265 child-care centers and kindergartens in the district. Funds raised will go toward medical costs for children with pediatric cancer, rare diseases and severe disabilities.

Those wishing to donate can visit the district office or a neighborhood community center, or contribute online via QR code using a credit card, bank transfer or mobile payment.

"The small acts of generosity we gather together will become a solid foundation for struggling neighbors to get back on their feet," Jin said. "I ask for the warm support of Gangseo residents so that we can share warmth with those around us this winter as well."