폐방화복으로 만든 가방 팔아… 암투병 소방관 돕죠<br /><br />November 9th marks National Firefighters' Day here in Korea, a day to acknowledge those serving our community and to be fully prepared for future disasters.<br />Bae Eun-ji looks into a company that upcycles firefighters' uniforms to raise money for those suffering from cancer.<br />In this small space in a basement, people are busy making bags and accessories.<br />All of these products are made out of old firefighter uniforms.<br />"These firefighter uniforms are worn out from constant use in burning buildings.<br />But instead of being thrown away, they have been turned into fashionable bags."<br />And the company that makes them, 119 REO, donates half of its revenues to firefighters who are suffering from cancer.<br />The name 'REO' stands for "Rescue Each Other".<br />The funds have been given to five firefighters so far, and five more will be added to the list of recipients by the end of the year.<br />"Our goal is to upcycle firefighter uniforms worldwide. We want to become a business that can help firefighters in other countries as well."<br />Not only is this business for a good cause, but it is also good for the environment.<br />Out of the 34 tons of uniforms that are thrown away each year in South Korea,... the company collects 7 tons... or approximately two-thousand uniforms.<br />Even the packaging is done in an environmentally friendly way, using forest materials which are gathered without cutting down trees.<br />"By people wearing bags and accessories made from actual uniforms, I think it is a great opportunity for them to think once more about firefighters."<br />119 REO is not the only company that helps out others.<br />A calendar featuring shirtless and buffed-up firefighters has been made for the last seven years to raise money for those suffering from burn injuries.<br />72-thousand calendars have been sold in those 7 years... raising around 540 thousand dollars.<br />Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.<br />
