Yongin City Spreads 'Happy Christmas' to Children Across the City

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] "Wishing everyone a happy Christmas."

Warm hearts determined to give children a happy Christmas despite COVID-19 overflowed throughout Yongin City.

Baek Kun-gi, mayor of Yongin City and chairman of the Yongin City Volunteer Center, transformed into Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, the 24th, and made surprise visits to municipal daycare centers and children and youth residential facilities.

The visit was arranged at the request of the municipal Yurim Daycare Center in Yubangt-dong, Cheoin-gu (Director Kang Myung-hee) and NH Nonghyup Bank's Yongin Branch, who wanted to create special memories for the children.

Mayor Baek first met with children at the municipal Yurim Daycare Center and distributed gifts prepared by the facility to each child, hoping they would grow up healthy and strong.

He then visited the Good Samaritan Home in Nansa-eup and gifted snack packages prepared by NH Nonghyup Bank's Yongin Branch, creating joyful memories with the children.

One person donated 2 million won in royalties from their published book to the city to be used for low-income children.

Kim Yun-jeong, CEO of a kalguksu (noodle soup) restaurant in Suji-gu, sponsored scholarships for children using royalties from a book about management philosophy published following her previous contribution last month.

In Singal-dong, Giheung-gu, Sinsaegae Church donated 10 school supply sets including backpacks for single-parent households and 1 million won in donations, while in Yeongdeok 1-dong, ㈜Alporter donated 100 boxes of assorted confectionery gift boxes valued at 6 million won and 900 children's masks.

The assorted confectionery gift boxes were carefully prepared by Alporter executives who personally selected snacks they thought children would enjoy, adding special meaning to the gifts.

In Seong-dong, members of the local community welfare council transformed into 'Santas of Love' and gave Bluetooth earphones and school supplies to 10 vulnerable children.

The Yongin Giheung Disability Welfare Center also carried out the 'Christmas Secret Santa Project,' providing unforgettable Christmas memories to low-income children with and without disabilities and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The Christmas Secret Santa Project is an initiative launched by the welfare center starting last year to fulfill the wishes of people with disabilities facing physical challenges.

This year, working together with the Gyeonggi Province Women's Organizations Council Yongin Branch, the Aum Volunteer Group, Hope Sharing Volunteer Group, Seongseong Lions Club, Singal Lions Club, Singal Baekock Lions Club, ㈜Eva Tech Korea, Yongin Severance Hospital, and HappyBean, the center fulfilled the wishes of a total of three families: Boy A who wants to go to an amusement park with his father who has mobility challenges due to physical disability, and a family with an intellectually disabled child whose parents have never taken a family trip due to childcare concerns.

Additionally, volunteers dressed as Santa personally visited 160 children and distributed gifts prepared through prior surveys.

Mayor Baek said, "It was a warm day where I could truly feel the hearts of those determined to give children a happy Christmas," and added, "I hope that at least on Christmas, all children in Yongin City have a happy and joyful day. Going forward, Yongin City will serve as a strong support for children to grow up bright and healthy."