In a heartfelt gesture, a couple from Hongseong, South Korea, who incurred significant losses during severe flooding last year, has donated strawberries to volunteers who assisted in their recovery. The couple, Yoo Wan-kyu and Jo Je-ran, suffered damage to their strawberry cultivation facilities in July 2022, losing a substantial part of their crops. In response to the devastation, volunteers from across the country arrived to help clean their farm, clearing debris and restoring their growing facilities despite challenging conditions.

Recently, after a successful harvest aided by the dedication of these volunteers, the couple sent five boxes of strawberries along with a letter to the local volunteering center. In their letter, they expressed their deep appreciation for the struggles shared by the volunteers, stating that their experience had made them realize the warmth of community and the importance of sharing, even in times of loss. This cycle of gratitude highlights the bonds formed in times of adversity and the resilience of communities coming together to help those in need.

The Hongseong Volunteer Center played a crucial role in organizing the relief efforts, serving as a coordination point for volunteers during large-scale disasters in the area. Since the floods, they have continued to train and prepare for future emergencies, ensuring that they maintain a strong volunteer support system. Over 2,200 volunteers from 82 organizations contributed to the recovery efforts in Hongseong during last year’s flooding, demonstrating the strength and unity of the community against such hardships.