KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation announced on the 6th that it has selected the '15th Special Mission Wing' (hereafter referred to as 15th Wing) and firefighter Kim Man-ha (58), affiliated with Gangneung Fire Station, as joint awardees of this year's second Hope Sharing Award. The 15th Wing has been operating an educational service club for youths in difficult environments for over 10 years. Firefighter Kim has volunteered over 2,100 times for around 20 years, dedicating more than 10,000 hours to helping those in need.
The 'Hope Sharing Award' is an award established by the KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation to encourage the activities of individuals (or organizations) who contribute to creating beautiful social values through sharing, and to spread the value of sharing. The KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation accepts nominations for awardees throughout the year on its website, along with the stories and good deeds of the candidates.
◇ Soldiers who transformed into 'teachers' through a 6-to-1 competition
The 15th Wing has operated an educational service club for youths from single-parent families, households receiving basic living assistance, and those with disabilities for over 10 years. Club members conduct one-on-one learning mentoring in collaboration with the Seokgok-dong Community Center and the Seokgok Sharing Scholarship Foundation in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, every Tuesday.
The soldiers provide guidance in basic subjects as well as advice regarding college entrance and career paths, and thus are referred to as 'military teachers' here. Last year, they invited students to the base to provide explanations about the aviation and space fields.
The 15th Wing educational service club was established in 2012 in collaboration with Gangnam-gu Office. They have volunteered 1,780 hours so far. In line with the original intention of providing quality education to children, the selection process for volunteers is rigorous. Applicants must pass English and math tests, with an average competition rate of 6 to 1. The 15th Wing educational service club received appreciation plaque this year from the head of Gangnam-gu for contributing to the development of the district.
Staff Sergeant Lee Hyeong-jun, who serves as the head of the 15th Wing educational service club, said, 'The long history of the club and the satisfaction of teaching children mean that many soldiers are applying within the unit. I will continue to work hard for children's bright futures as their steadfast mentors.'
◇ Firefighter Kim Man-ha, who has served for over 10,000 hours
Firefighter Kim Man-ha, affiliated with Gangneung Fire Station in Gangwon Province, has volunteered over 2,100 times for about 20 years. The accumulated volunteer hours exceed 10,000 hours. During the same period, he has also donated a certain amount every month.
Since 2013, Kim has been active in the 'Love Food Truck' volunteer group, providing free meals to the underprivileged every Tuesday on his days off. From 2006 to 2015, he was part of the Gangneung Family Volunteer Group 'Three-Year Habits Team,' regularly visiting elderly people living alone, orphanages, nursing homes, and facilities for people with disabilities, conducting various volunteer activities such as bathing, cleaning, companionship, and daily support. He has also provided warm meals to rescue workers and affected residents at disaster sites, including the 2018 Gangneung KTX derailment and the 2019 and 2023 Goseong-Gangneung wildfires.
Kim noted that he started volunteering after his colleagues at a company, where individual monthly salaries were less than 200,000 won, pooled together 500,000 won to help him when he was about to give up his studies due to lack of funds for college tuition. 'The mindset of giving back to society with the help I received continues to this day,' he said. Kim has received several accolades, including the Governor of Gangwon Province's Volunteer Service Commendation (2008), the Prime Minister's Exemplary Public Servant Award (2023), and the Gangwon Province Volunteer Master Award (2024).
Kim said, 'I have been running tirelessly, hoping that the warm hands I received at the age of 20 will reach countless neighbors,' adding, 'I will continue to volunteer to help neighbors even after retirement.'
O Tae-seong, chairman of the KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation, said, 'This year's Hope Sharing Award recognized two awardees who extended warm hands to neighbors beyond their main duties devoted to the country, and the KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation will continue to work together to create a warmer society by finding those who spread hope throughout our society.'