New Life Fund Donation Ceremony

The New Life Welfare Foundation hosted the 8th New Life Family Walkathon to help children with heart and rare diseases last April. Like the slogan, “Laughter Makes Miracles,” the bright laughter was delivered to our neighbors.

At 6 p.m. on May 15, 2006, the “New Life Fund Donation Ceremony” was held at the Jung-gu ward office in Seoul. The fund was raised by the love and devotion of 10,000 members who had participated in the 8th New Life Family Walkathon. The reason that the New Life Fund Donation Ceremony was held at the Jung-gu ward office was because the New Life Welfare Foundation hosted the walkathon in Namsan Park which is part of Jung-gu ward. As the foundation showed its will to help children suffering from diseases, the ward office worked with the regional public health center to select beneficiaries. The fund will be delivered to more neighbors in more regions in the near future.

A total of 80 people attended the ceremony: Zahng Gil-jah the Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation, Lee Sun-jae the Sponsor Chairman, the directors and 30 members of the foundation, Kim Chung-min the Acting Head of Jung-gu Ward Office, Kwon Yeong-hyeon the Head of Jung-gu Public Health Center, and the concerned public officials and social workers, the children beneficiaries suffering from heart disease, rare diseases and development disorder, and their 26 parents participated in the ceremony.

As the ceremony started, the purpose of this event was announced and the invited public figures were introduced. Then the fund (15,000,000 won) was donated to 13 children for their operation and treatment expenses. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah embraced the beneficiaries and encouraged them, wishing for their well-being. Sponsor Chairman Lee Sun-jae also encouraged each beneficiary by shaking hands with them, wearing his unique generous smile.

After the ceremony, Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah greeted them and said, “In May which is the month for family, I’m very happy to have this beautiful relationship with you here.” She also wished children to be free from disease and play around cheerfully in this good season. She said, “This fund was raised through the New Life Family Walkathon. Please accept this fund as the love of the foundation members even though it is small. I wish this fund to be used for the children to regain their health.” She also encouraged the beneficiary children and their parents, saying, “Happiness will come to you if you live with a positive and bright mindset.”

Sponsor Chairman Lee Sun-jae also comforted the parents, saying, “Please have hope for the children you are carrying now even though it may be difficult. Be courageous and raise your children well. They would be great figures who would contribute to our nation if you overcome current hardships.”

Acting Head of Jung-gu Ward Kim Chung-min expressed his thanks, “I give thanks to the Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation and the Sponsor Chairman including many members.” Acting Head Kim told that he was implementing a plan for our neighbors in need and that it was consistent with the welfare policy of the New Life Welfare Foundation. He emphasized, “It’s enormously important and meaningful to help our neighbors in need. Our small effort encourages our neighbors greatly to have hope.”

All the fund donation ceremony concluded with a big round of applause, wishing well-being and happiness to all the participants and the development of the New Life Welfare Foundation. After the photo shooting for the event, the foundation members, the ward officers and the public health center staff saw off the beneficiaries who were leaving with bright smiles.

A five-year-old boy Wu-seong received his first heart surgery 15 days after his birth, and went through four more surgery until now. His mother had been working a part-time job to pay for the operation and treatment charges. She said, “I believe my boy is very blessed even though he is sick, because all these many people are helping him.”

Our neighbors regain their smiles, through the love of the public health center staff who is constantly taking care of the children suffering from diseases, the ward officers who are supporting the unfortunate neighbors in their ward, and the members of the New Life Welfare Foundation who raised fund for the lives of children. We believe that the smiles on the faces of our neighbors will create another new miracles.