Salvation Army launches year-end red kettle campaign in Busan

A little girl and an adult ask for a donation.

(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Busan has begun its annual Salvation Army Red Kettle fundraising season, with collections running from December 1 to December 31.

The official opening ceremony took place yesterday at 11 a.m. at the main entrance of Lotte Department Store Busan, attended by Mayor Park Heong-joon, volunteers, and local leaders.

This year’s nationwide campaign aims to raise 13 billion won across more than 350 locations.

In Busan and the greater Gyeongnam region, the goal is 230 million won. Donation kettles will be placed at fourteen major spots in Busan, including Seomyeon, and throughout Gyeongnam.

Street collections will be joined by mobile kettles, tollgate stations, online giving, and kiosk-based donations.

Last year, the regional campaign collected 197 million won, which supported emergency aid, free meals for low-income residents, housing improvements in vulnerable neighborhoods, and relief meals for disaster victims.

City officials expressed hope that this year’s Red Kettle campaign will help strengthen community warmth and support for those in need during the winter season.

Fleet Chinhae