Good Neighbor News

USFK servicemembers conduct volunteer services in welfare facilities in Daegu City

Yonhap News

US Forces Korea (USFK) servicemembers stationed in US Army Garrison Daegu visited a local welfare center to spend a meaningful time, doing volunteer services January 28th.

A service team of 40 members, which includes US servicemembers from all parts of the ROK such as soldiers from the Eighth US Army (EUSA) 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (19th ESC), visited Seo-gu Jeil Community Welfare Center in Seo-gu (West District), Daegu City, in the morning January 28th, and conducted a number of volunteer services in the welfare center.

The servicemembers divided themselves into two teams; Team One helped out the elderly with Alzheimer's diseases and strokes in the mealtime, and cleaned up the surroundings of the welfare center, while Team Two distributed foods and washed dishes in places providing free-meals.

The elderly, who finished their meals with the help from US servicemembers of different skin colors, asked questions to officials of the welfare center with curious eyes and gestures, and expressed their gratitude.

One of the elderly, Choi, 78-years-old, said, "I am thankful that the US servicemembers have danced and sang with us although we do not speak the same language," and continuously expressed her gratitude.
US servicemembers who finished mealtime volunteer services spent a short, but enjoyable time with the elderly, such as playing arm-wrestling and other various games with them.

Volunteer services conducted January 28th are in accordance with the Social Contribution Activities Plan, established by Seo-gu Office of Daegu City and the 19th ESC together. It is the second volunteer service, following the free-meal support in welfare centers and the Kimchi-making event at the end of 2009.

19th ESC also plans to participate in other various volunteer services as well, such as helping out disabled children and children from low-income families on their English studies.

Official of Seo-gu Office in Service Network Jung Soo-young said, "We will continue to consult with the US Army to find ways to strengthen friendships between local residents and US service members and ways to benefit from each other."