This year, the amount raised through the “Hometown Love Donation System” has surpassed 10 billion Korean won. This is the first time the amount has exceeded 10 billion won since the system was introduced in 2023. The Hometown Love Donation System is a program that allows donors to receive local specialties as gifts when they donate to local governments, including their hometowns. Donors can also receive tax deductions during year-end tax settlements.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 16th, the total amount of Hometown Love Donations collected from January to the 15th of this year was 10.087 billion Korean won. Compared to the first year of implementation in 2023 (6.506 billion won), this represents a 55% increase over two years.
◇Donations pour in from across the country following ‘Yeongnam wildfires’
The increase in donations this year is attributed to the numerous disasters, such as wildfires and floods. In March, large-scale wildfires swept through eight regions, including Gyeongnam’s Sancheong-Hadong, Gyeongbuk’s Uiseong-Andong, and Ulsan’s Ulju County. Over the two months from March to April, 1.84 billion won in donations poured into these areas. This was more than double the amount received during the same period last year.
Particularly large donations were collected for Sancheong, which also suffered from landslides and heavy rains in July. For the fundraising campaign conducted by Sancheong County to recover from wildfire damage, 3,736 people from across the country participated, raising 45.7 million won. For the fundraising to recover from the heavy rain damage, 2,280 people contributed 34.288 million won. A source from Sancheong County said, “We reached out to the Hometown Love Donation System with the desperation of grasping at straws, and it has been a great help.”
◇Expanding into a ‘local problem-solving platform’
A source from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said, “Initially, many people donated to help their hometowns or to receive local specialties, but now the Hometown Love Donation System is also serving as a ‘problem-solving platform’ where communities collectively address local issues.” Local governments post various donation projects on the Hometown Love Donation website, ‘Hometown Love Eum,’ and donors contribute funds accordingly.
In May, Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province opened its first pediatric department. Using 300 million won raised through the Hometown Love Donation, they recruited a pediatric specialist. Before this, residents had to travel approximately 60 km to a pediatric department in Gwangju Metropolitan City. This situation became known through the Hometown Love Donation System, leading to donations from across the country.
In May, Jeju Island launched the donation project, ‘Save the Forest of Life, Jeju Gotjawal.’ Gotjawal refers to a primitive forest area on Jeju Island. When parts of Gotjawal on private land faced the threat of destruction, the project idea was proposed. As of now, 8,939 people from across the country have contributed 883.85 million won. Jeju Island plans to use the donations to purchase 5 hectares of private land to preserve the forest.
Cheongju City in North Chungcheong Province utilized the Hometown Love Donation System to send veterinarians to areas without animal hospitals. They raised the targeted 104 million won over nine months from January. 1,375 people participated. The city will dispatch veterinarians from Cheongju Zoo to areas without animal hospitals starting next month.
Nam District in Gwangju Metropolitan City is promoting the construction of a ‘Time Post Office’ to revitalize Sajik-dong, a declining old downtown area. This unique post office will store letters written by visitors for up to 100 years and deliver them at the desired time. They plan to fund the operational costs through the Hometown Love Donation. As of the 16th, 159.31 million won has been raised, with 1,135 people donating. A source from Nam District said, “Former residents of Sajik-dong are participating, urging the revival of the old downtown area.”
Dong District in Gwangju replaced the projector and screen of ‘Gwangju Cinema’ using Hometown Love Donation funds in June. Gwangju Cinema, opened in 1935, is the oldest theater in Gwangju. A source from Dong District said, “Since starting the fundraising, Gwangju Cinema has become widely known, leading to an increase in theater visitors.”
Okcheon County in North Chungcheong Province is nurturing ‘arts and sports talents’ using Hometown Love Donation funds. The ‘Okcheon Girls’ Middle School Brass Band Support Project,’ launched in October, has received contributions of 18.714 million won from 108 people. The Okcheon Girls’ Middle School Brass Band, established in 1996, is the first all-girls brass band in the country. A source from Okcheon County said, “Next year, we plan to support the volleyball team as well.”
Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province has been collecting donations since last year to purchase table tennis equipment for students in the Jungsan Elementary, Middle, and High School table tennis teams. “Thanks to the donations, the training environment has improved,” and this year, 15 aspiring table tennis players transferred to the school.
◇Diverse rewards, including lawn mowing service vouchers
The rewards given to donors by local governments are also becoming diverse. Each local government is developing various rewards to attract donors’ attention.
Samcheok City in Gangwon Province provides a ‘water sports experience ticket’ for snorkeling at Jangho Harbor, a famous snorkeling spot. Yeosu City in South Jeolla Province offers accommodation vouchers for local hotels on weekdays. A source from Yeosu City said, “The rewards convey gratitude to donors and also help boost the local economy.”
Uiseong County in North Gyeongsang Province, Hoengseong County in Gangwon Province, and Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province provide coupons for discounted lawn mowing services. These are popular during holidays. Changwon City in South Gyeongsang Province offers discounted tickets to Changwon LG Sakers basketball games.
Some rewards have become online sensations. The ‘abalone cushion’ from Wando County in South Jeolla Province is popular due to its resemblance to real abalones. A source from Wando County said, “It is playing a key role in promoting Wando, the largest abalone-producing region in the country.”
