Gwangjin Senior Welfare Center holds Chuseok holiday event for elderly living alone

On September 16, Gwangjin Senior Welfare Center held the Chuseok holiday event 'Festival of Sharing Love' for vulnerable elderly individuals living alone in Gwangjin-gu. The event was organized as an opportunity to convey holiday greetings and share meals and performances with seniors who are easily marginalized from the community due to economic, psychological, and social reasons.

This event was conducted with community support and participation from Lions Clubs International District 354-A Seoul Dongwon Lions Club, SK Networks Walkerhill, Korea Housing Finance Corporation, and Happybean. The welfare center prepared and delivered holiday gift kits centered on food and daily necessities for practical use in daily life, and also provided a dinner focused on nutritious health foods. On the day of the event, members of the Seoul Dongwon Lions Club served as volunteers to assist with food distribution and event proceedings.

During the event, a Nanta performance by young adults with developmental disabilities in connection with Uriga Social Cooperative was held, followed by a celebratory performance by trot singer Hyanggi. The welfare center stated that for seniors who were unable to attend the event due to mobility issues, social workers visited their homes directly to deliver holiday gift kits and greetings. The method of visiting elderly individuals living alone who find it difficult to spend the holiday together is seen as a mechanism to fill the gaps in local care. If support connected with local resources continues rather than remaining a one-time event, it is expected to be effective in reducing holiday isolation.

An elderly participant, Kim OO, said, “I used to spend a lot of time alone during the holidays, but I am happy to be able to have a joyful time eating delicious food and watching performances at the welfare center. I am grateful to those who remember and take care of us every year.” Gwangjin Senior Welfare Center stated that it will continue to carry out sharing and care in connection with various community resources so that vulnerable elderly individuals are not marginalized during the holidays.