Shincheonji Volunteer Group Sokcho Branch Shares Warmth Through ‘Neighborly Love’ Briquette Delivery Despite the Cold Wave

Shincheonji Volunteer Group Sokcho Branch Shares Warmth 

Through ‘Neighborly Love’ Briquette Delivery Despite the Cold Wave

On the 22nd, amid a biting cold wave, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Sokcho Branch carried out a briquette-sharing volunteer activity in the hillside village of Geumho-dong, Sokcho. Despite the freezing weather, the warmth of compassion shared that day was unmistakable.

The volunteer activity took place in Geumho-dong’s hillside village, commonly known as the “40-Stair Village.” Formed by displaced families who settled there after the Korean War, the area still carries traces of its long history, and it was once known as a place where pollock was dried.

Volunteers climbed up and down steep, narrow alleyways carrying traditional A-frame packs loaded with briquettes. Each trip involved delivering 8 to 12 briquettes at a time to households in need.

Each briquette weighs about 3.5 kilograms. Carrying loads exceeding 30 kilograms per trip, volunteers carefully adjusted their pace on steep paths, watching out for one another and prioritizing safety throughout the activity.

Although the daytime high dropped to minus 8 degrees Celsius, smiles never left the volunteers’ faces. Thinking about the warmth each briquette would bring, they encouraged one another even during the most physically demanding moments.

Also present at the site was Kim Sang-bok, head of the Sokcho Briquette Bank, who has been involved in briquette sharing in the region for 25 years. He remarked that the volunteers’ sincerity in helping neighbors in need was clearly felt, adding that their quiet dedication in harsh conditions left a strong impression.

One volunteer shared, “Carrying briquettes up and down the hills wasn’t easy, but imagining the warmth a single briquette would provide made the experience deeply meaningful.”

Beyond briquette sharing, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Sokcho Branch continues to engage in various activities such as environmental cleanups and housing support for vulnerable residents. Through these efforts, the group aims to grow together with the local community and keep sharing warmth with neighbors in need.

Reference : https://vo.la/lCGetai