[2026-09-23] Shincheonji's Volunteering Group Brings Warmth to Communities Nationwide Ahead of Chuseok

Shincheonji's Volunteering Group Brings Warmth to Communities Nationwide Ahead of Chuseok

- 26 volunteer activities by 24 branches nationwide… 270 volunteers reach 1,421 people

- Holiday warmth delivered to seniors, persons of national merit, and vulnerable groups

- Community-tailored outreach continues, including environmental cleanups, traffic safety, and support for traditional markets

Volunteers from the Dongdaemun Branch of Shincheonji's Volunteering Group and seniors from the Anamgol Byucksan Apartment senior center make songpyeon together and share stories on 10 September, ahead of Chuseok.

Ahead of Chuseok, efforts to look after neighbors and share with local communities are continuing across the country. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety designated 14 to 23 September as the "Chuseok Intensive Volunteering Period," working to foster a nationwide atmosphere of volunteering and sharing so that no neighbor is left out ahead of the holiday.

In step with this, Shincheonji's Volunteering Group began volunteer activities in regions across the country on 6 September, ahead of Chuseok. As of 17 September, activities alone totaled 26 events by 24 branches nationwide, with 270 volunteers taking part and reaching 1,421 people, including local seniors, vulnerable groups, persons with disabilities, and persons of national merit. Volunteer activities for neighbors celebrating Chuseok are continuing in each region.

◆ So No One Spends the Holiday Alone… Sharing That Connects Hearts

Across the country, branches held gatherings to share the warmth of Chuseok with local seniors and persons of national merit, making holiday food together and checking in on their well-being.

The Dongdaemun Branch made songpyeon with 47 seniors from a senior center, sharing memories of the holiday. Volunteers prepared the ingredients and sat together with the seniors to make songpyeon, sharing stories about their families and holidays past.

Lee Hae-yeon (91, pseudonym, Anam-dong) said, "It reminds me of making songpyeon with my family on Chuseok when I was young, and I think of my late parents' faces. It's been so long since I last made songpyeon that I thought I couldn't do it anymore, but once I started, it brought back old memories."

The Daejeon Branch visited 22 senior centers in Seo-gu, delivering pears to the seniors and checking in on their well-being. Begun in 2014, this Chuseok outreach marks its 13th year, continuing the branch's annual exchange with local seniors ahead of the holiday.

Cheon Young-du, head of the Yongmun-dong senior association, said, "It warms our hearts that you never forget to visit and hold our hands every year. Thanks to you, the seniors and I can enjoy a bountiful Chuseok this year as well."

The Songpa Branch provided haircut and beauty services and shared songpyeon with persons of national merit at the Songpa-gu Veterans Hall. Having built a relationship with them through monthly haircut and beauty services for more than a year, the branch marked Chuseok by giving haircuts and delivering songpyeon.

A Korean War veteran said, "Just providing haircut and beauty services is something to be grateful for, but I'm thankful that you even prepared a Chuseok gift."

◆ Addressing Everyday Inconveniences Ahead of the Holiday

Ahead of the holiday, activities also continued to provide practical help close to residents' daily lives, such as tidying up spaces residents use every day and delivering needed supplies.

The Daegu Branch visited Hyeonri-ri in Cheongdo-gun, cleaning up the village hall and village bathhouse and delivering Chuseok gift sets to 55 households. At the senior center, volunteers offered nail art and refreshments and spent time with the seniors. From 14 to 17 September, the branch also made rounds to 138 senior centers in Cheongdo-gun, delivering makgeolli, rice cakes, grapes, towels, and other items while extending holiday greetings to the seniors.

Activities to promote safety during the mass holiday travel were also organized. The Pohang Branch held a traffic safety campaign at Yeongildae Beach, sharing safety tips for holiday travel such as preventing drunk driving, taking breaks during long-distance driving, and inspecting vehicles before departure. Through an O/X quiz and a hands-on tire inspection activity for citizens, the branch encouraged participants to check their vehicle's condition and also introduced a free inspection service for holiday travel vehicles.

◆ Visiting Traditional Markets and Adding Vitality to Local Communities

Activities also continued in which volunteers visited traditional markets in person to shop, communicated with merchants, and lent strength to local businesses.

The Donghae Branch purchased ancestral rite foods and holiday gifts directly at a traditional market and prepared traditional culture activities such as tuho (arrow throwing), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), and hwajeon (flower pancake) making, sharing the holiday atmosphere with citizens.

The Suncheon Branch also carried out a market shopping activity at Suncheon's Araetjang Market and communicated with merchants. The branch delivered 500 bottles of water and heat-related illness prevention supplies to merchants and shoppers, and also ran hands-on programs such as decorating non-woven fabric bags and making mother-of-pearl fans.

Kim Mi-yeon (53, female), a volunteer with the Suncheon Branch, said, "It was meaningful that we didn't stop at simply delivering supplies but could provide practical help to the merchants by shopping ourselves. I want to continue using traditional markets often and share warmth with the market merchants."

These volunteer activities began ahead of Chuseok and are continuing during the holiday period, tailored to the needs of each region. An official from Shincheonji's Volunteering Group said, "We listened to the needs of each community and practiced sharing in places close to daily life. We will continue to seek out places in need and carry on our volunteer work."