Three-month campaign runs through Feb. 14 next year; last year's drive raised 4.68 billion won, 138% of target
Kim Tae-su has donated 100 million won annually since 2020, bringing cumulative giving to 700 million won
Gangnam-gu in Seoul is launching a fundraising drive targeting 3.4 billion won ($2.55 million) to help vulnerable residents through the winter.
The district said it will run the "2027 Huimanggondol Warm Winter" sharing campaign with the Seoul Community Chest of Korea from Sunday through Feb. 14 next year — a three-month effort to collect donations and goods for those in need.
The campaign is a public-private partnership that gathers cash donations and in-kind contributions — including rice, kimchi and daily necessities — from residents, businesses, civic groups and religious organizations, then distributes them to low-income households earning up to 120 percent of the median income and to welfare facilities. Priority goes to households in welfare blind spots that face urgent needs or fall outside the reach of public assistance programs.
This year's fundraising target of 3.4 billion won matches last year's goal. Last year's campaign exceeded that target by a wide margin, raising 4.68 billion won — 138 percent of the goal — comprising 1.18 billion won in cash and 3.49 billion won in goods.
Kicking off this year's campaign is Kim Tae-su, chairman of the Daelim Acrovil Senior Center and known locally as "Gangnam-gu's king of giving." Kim plans to donate 100 million won in cash to the drive.
A member of the Honor Society, the high-value donor club of the Community Chest of Korea, Kim has contributed 100 million won every year since 2020. Including this year's donation, cumulative giving reaches 700 million won. In 2021, Kim received the grand prize at the Gangnam-gu Citizens Award in recognition of sustained philanthropy and volunteer work.
In place of a formal launch ceremony, the district will set up a donation photo zone operating throughout the campaign period in the lobby of the district office's main building. A winter tree display and a card payment terminal will be installed so visitors can take commemorative photos and donate on the spot.
The district will also strengthen coordination with related agencies — including the Gangnam Food Support Center, the Gangnam Welfare Foundation and neighborhood community centers — to ensure that collected funds and goods reach those in need quickly. Promotional efforts will run in parallel through the district's website, social media channels and outdoor digital displays across the area.
Residents who wish to donate may contribute cash or goods. Cash donations can be made by bank transfer to a designated Community Chest of Korea account or via QR code, and donation receipts will be issued. Those wishing to donate goods should contact the district office's welfare policy division or their nearest neighborhood community center for instructions.
"I am grateful to Chairman Kim Tae-su for lending such meaningful support to the start of this campaign," Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyun-ki said. "I hope even more residents, businesses and organizations will join in the spirit of giving." Kim Hyun-ki added that the district would work with the private sector to build a tight-knit safety net so that every resident in need receives the help they require.
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