Shincheonji Volunteers Bring Chuseok Warmth Across Korea

 Shincheonji Volunteers Bring Chuseok Warmth Across Korea

Chuseok, Korea's harvest festival, is a time for family, food, and gratitude. But not everyone has someone to celebrate with. This September, the Shincheonji Volunteering Group set out across the country to make sure seniors, veterans, and vulnerable neighbors didn't spend the holiday alone.

Chuseok Volunteering by the Numbers

• 26 volunteer activities
• 24 branches nationwide
• 270 volunteers
• 1,421 people reached, including seniors, persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups, and persons of national merit

(Figures as of September 17. Activities continued through the holiday.)

Why This Matters

Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety named September 14–23 the "Chuseok Intensive Volunteering Period," encouraging communities to look after neighbors who might otherwise be left out. Shincheonji's Volunteering Group started even earlier, launching activities on September 6 and tailoring each one to what its local community needed.

Sharing the Holiday With Seniors and Veterans

Dongdaemun Branch: Songpyeon and Shared Memories

On September 10, volunteers sat down with 47 seniors from a senior center to make songpyeon, the half-moon rice cakes traditionally eaten at Chuseok. Between folding dough and swapping stories, the seniors talked about family and past holidays. A 91-year-old participant said the activity brought back memories of making songpyeon with family as a child, and of their late parents.

Daejeon Branch: 13 Years of Chuseok Visits

The Daejeon Branch visited 22 senior centers in Seo-gu to deliver pears and check on residents' well-being. The outreach began in 2014, making this its 13th year. The head of a local senior association said the seniors are touched that volunteers return every year.

Songpa Branch: Haircuts and Songpyeon for Veterans

At the Songpa-gu Veterans Hall, volunteers offered haircuts and beauty services and shared songpyeon with persons of national merit. The branch has provided monthly haircut and beauty services there for over a year, so this visit was a continuation of an ongoing relationship. One Korean War veteran said the haircut alone was something to be grateful for, and that he was also thankful for the holiday gift.

Practical Help for Everyday Life

Daegu Branch: A Village Cleaned Up and 55 Households Visited

In Hyeonri-ri, Cheongdo-gun, volunteers cleaned the village hall and bathhouse and delivered Chuseok gift sets to 55 households. At the senior center, they offered nail art and refreshments and simply spent time with residents. From September 14 to 17, the branch also visited 138 senior centers across Cheongdo-gun with items such as makgeolli, rice cakes, grapes, and towels.

Pohang Branch: Safe Travels for the Holiday Rush

Holiday travel means crowded roads, so the Pohang Branch held a traffic safety campaign at Yeongildae Beach. Volunteers shared tips on avoiding drunk driving, resting during long drives, and checking vehicles before departure. An O/X quiz and a hands-on tire inspection activity kept it engaging, and citizens also learned about a free pre-trip vehicle inspection service.

Supporting Traditional Markets

Donghae Branch: Shopping Local, Playing Traditional

Volunteers bought ancestral rite foods and holiday gifts directly at a traditional market. They also set up traditional activities, including tuho (arrow throwing), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), and hwajeon (flower pancake) making, so citizens could enjoy the holiday atmosphere together.

Suncheon Branch: Water, Wellness, and Crafts at Araetjang Market

In Suncheon, volunteers shopped at Araetjang Market, chatted with merchants, and handed out 500 bottles of water and heat-illness prevention supplies. Hands-on programs, such as decorating non-woven bags and making mother-of-pearl fans, added a creative touch. One volunteer said that shopping at the market herself made the support feel more practical than simply dropping off supplies.

What's Next

A representative of the Volunteering Group said the branches listened to what each community needed and focused on sharing in places close to everyday life. The group plans to keep seeking out those who need help and continue its volunteer work.

A bowl of songpyeon, a visit from a neighbor, a bag of pears at the door. These are small gestures, but across 24 branches and more than 1,400 people, they added up to a Chuseok where fewer people felt forgotten.

Want to read the original announcement? You can find it on the Shincheonji Church of Jesus English blog.