☀️ Shincheonji Volunteer Group Delivers 10,000 Bottles of Water and Summer Safety Kits Across Gwangju and Jeonnam

🔑 Key Points

1. More than 10,000 bottles of cold water shared with citizens 💧

2. Summer safety kits with cooling sleeves, mosquito repellent, glucose candy, and more 🌟

3. Activities held at terminals, markets, and parks across Gwangju and Jeonnam 🌍

4. Campaigns for heatstroke, food poisoning, fire, and flood prevention ✨

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Cooling Down the City with Kindness

This summer, while Gwangju and Jeonnam were battling extreme heat waves and sudden heavy rains, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju–Jeonnam Association stepped forward to care for local citizens. From July 5 until mid-August, volunteers carried out a “Cool Summer” campaign by handing out ice-cold water at places where people needed it most—parks, bus terminals, train stations, and traditional markets.

The response? Overwhelmingly positive! Many locals and even travelers were touched by the thoughtful gesture. One worker at Mokpo Bus Terminal said that the cold water and cooling sleeves felt like “a lifesaver” during the exhausting heat. Families visiting Yeosu also expressed gratitude, saying the volunteers made their trip feel a little lighter.

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Beyond Water: Summer Safety Kits 🌱

But the volunteers didn’t stop at water. They prepared special summer safety kits designed to keep people healthy and safe despite the unpredictable weather. These included:

1. Glucose and salt candy to prevent heatstroke
2. Cooling arm sleeves and handheld fans
3. Mosquito repellent and hygiene products
4. Fire and electricity safety covers for the home

At each site, volunteers also spread awareness about preventing heat illness, food poisoning, and safe electricity use during the peak summer season.

To make things even more fun, some local branches added interactive activities. In Mokpo, for example, a simple 1-minute fishing game brought laughter to families and helped kids enjoy the event while receiving cooling goods.

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Supporting Both Citizens and Local Markets ❤️

The Gwangyang branch took things a step further by combining the safety campaign with support for local traditional markets. They encouraged visitors to shop while giving out cooling fans and water to boost both comfort and the local economy. Market vendors expressed their happiness, saying, “Today, it actually feels good to run a stall again,” and they warmly thanked the volunteers for remembering them during such a difficult season.

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Looking Ahead: Ongoing Commitment 🌟

In total, over 10,000 bottles of water and countless safety kits were distributed across Gwangju and Jeonnam, leaving a refreshing mark on the community. A representative from the volunteer group explained that this wasn’t just a one-time effort: the group is committed to continuing disaster relief, flood recovery, and preventive support so that citizens can live safer, healthier lives.

This campaign shows what true volunteerism looks like—practical, heartfelt actions that protect both people’s well-being and their daily happiness, even in the toughest weather.

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✅ Hashtags:
#ShincheonjiVolunteerGroup #SummerRelief #GwangjuJeonnam #CommunityCare #SafeSummer

 | Flood recovery | Gwangju disaster | Shincheonji Church | Volunteer work | Heatwave | Elderly support |

💡 Key Points at a Glance

• 📍 Over 1,300 property damage reports in Gwangju due to 536.1mm of heavy rainfall

• 🧼 Shincheonji Volunteer Group cleaned flooded homes, village halls, and businesses

• 🤝 Focused help for the elderly and flood-stricken single households

• 🌡️ Recovery efforts continued despite heatwave warnings

• 🧑‍🔧 Volunteers offered detailed and thorough cleanup that deeply moved locals

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🌧️ Disaster Strikes Gwangju and Jeonnam

From July 16th to 20th, Gwangju city experienced an overwhelming 536.1mm of rainfall. The result? Severe flooding in homes, stores, roads, and farmland — with over 1,300 reports of property damage, including tragic losses of life and missing persons. 

In neighboring Jeonnam, the situation wasn’t any better. Around 300,000 livestock perished, nearly 7,800 hectares of farmland were submerged, and many homes were partially or completely destroyed. Hilly areas like Damyang saw landslides and rivers overflow, causing even more chaos and forcing residents to evacuate.

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🧤 Shincheonji Volunteers Move Fast — With Heart

As soon as the floodwaters started to recede, volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s Gwangju branch jumped into action. 

On July 18th, just hours after receiving a call from the Buk-gu Volunteer Center, teams arrived at Yongho Village to begin restoration. This wasn’t a simple mop-and-bucket job — the village hall, used as a cooling shelter for the elderly, had been completely flooded and caked in mud.

🪣 The volunteers cleaned, ventilated, and disinfected the space to make it livable again. They knew that with heatwave alerts expected right after the flood, restoring the community's resting place was urgent.

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🔧 Sweat, Strength, and Support

Efforts continued daily. On July 20th, they headed to a hardware wholesaler in Damyang, where metal tools and materials were soaked in dirty water. The volunteers dried the materials using cloth and blowers, sorted everything by hand, and reinforced the floors.

The very next day, July 21st, their work shifted to a flood-damaged home belonging to an elderly person living alone. Water had reached waist-level inside the house, ruining electronics and furniture. The team cleaned every room, sorted what could be saved, and hauled out everything else. Despite narrow hallways and intense heat, they didn't stop until everything was back in order. 💪

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❤️ Recovery That Touched Hearts

One of the flood victims shared,

“I was overwhelmed and didn’t even know where to start. But these volunteers treated my situation like their own. They didn’t just help—they gave me back my peace of mind.”

Another added,

“They worked so cleanly and efficiently. I didn’t have to go back and fix anything. I felt truly cared for.”

A representative from the Gwangju branch emphasized:

“This is a time for fast action. We're prioritizing flood recovery as our top mission until the 31st. If anyone needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.”

 

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🔄 Ongoing Commitment Until the Last Home is Clean

The Gwangju branch plans to continue working in close cooperation with local governments and relief groups to ensure every affected resident in Gwangju and Jeonnam gets the support they need. Manpower and equipment will keep flowing in until the very last home is restored and families can feel safe again.

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✅ Summary

• The Shincheonji Volunteer Group didn’t just show up — they stayed, working tirelessly in the heat and mud to help neighbors.

• Their efforts were deeply appreciated by locals who were overwhelmed by the disaster.

• With a spirit of unity and selfless care, they reminded everyone that hope isn’t washed away — it’s rebuilt, together. 🙌

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📌 Hashtags

#ShincheonjiVolunteerGroup #GwangjuFloodRecovery #ManHeeLee #HelpingHandsInCrisis #TogetherWeRebuild