연말 기부 모금…비대면 디지털 모금도<br /><br />With Christmas just around the corner, annual charity campaigns in South Korea, including those by the Salvation Army and the Community Chest of Korea... are looking at non-contact methods of raising money for those in need.<br />Bae Eun-ji reports.<br />It is the time of the year when the Salvation Army's bell ringers and their iconic red donation pots appear on the streets.<br />"It's not much, but I thought it could help a little. When these small donations pile up, I think it's a huge help to those in need."<br />Since last winter, amid the pandemic... they have started raising money in a way that does not require face-to-face contact.<br />"The number of people participating in non face-to-face donations has been rising. We have seen a 600-percent increase of these types of donations compared to last year."<br />With just a touch of your transportation card, the donation is made.<br />And for the first time this year, some donation pots did not have bell ringers at all.<br />"This year, some of the Salvation Army’s famous red pots were left un-manned on the streets of Seoul to encourage more donations while following social distancing."<br />Another major charity, the Community Chest of Korea has also launched its annual fundraising drive.<br />This year it aims to raise 35 billion won, or around 32 million U.S. dollars.<br />"With the help of companies and public organizations, we have reached more than 60% of our goal, but we still need participation from individuals and small business owners."<br />This year, the donations can not only be made at collection boxes,... but also through QR codes located in subway stations, bus stops, and local community centers.<br />Just by scanning the QR codes with a mobile phone,... the donors are directly led to a link where they can donate online.<br />The collected funds will be used to help those with disabilities, the elderly, and low-income families.<br />The fundraising will run until January 31st.<br />Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.<br />
