Wildfire Donation

During March of 2025, South Korea was filled with devastating wildfires that brought a chaotic and tragic situation to a lot of people, everyone, meaning that there needed to be an immediate humanitarian aid. As the fires spread and communities were torn apart with deaths as well, the scale of the disaster left many families and individuals struggling to overcome and cope with its aftermath. Not only did the fire cause loss of life and property, but it also brought widespread displacement, forcing people to seek shelter in temporary accommodations.

Recognizing the seriousness and importance of the situation, the Service Council was finding ways in which, as students, they could actively contribute and help with the relief efforts. The main goal for this wasn’t just to raise awareness, but to take an action that is tangible and could have a meaningful impact for those who have been affected by the wildfires.

Alyssa, as one of the service council leaders, took the lead and decided to find a reliable and an effective way through which the school community could offer its support. After communication and discussion with teachers and organizations, she decided to connect and collaborate with Good Neighbors, an organization with which she had worked before. As Good Neighbors was already in the process of organizing relief efforts for the wildfire victims, it was clear that the purpose and aim could be fulfilled and that the funds raised would be directly allocated to help those in need. To be specific, it would provide the necessary financial support to help Good Neighbors create aid kits that could make an immediate difference and change the lives of those facing hardship currently due to the wildfires.

To encourage and have the entire school participate and get involved, the Round Square Club day was held at the school. This event brought all the various school clubs together to collaborate and do community service. Through fundraisers, clubs were not only able to spread awareness about the wildfire but also about their own clubs as well (both middle and upper school). Furthermore, for village school students, Alyssa and two other students presented at an assembly, discussing the severity of this issue, what they, as students, have done, and what village school students could do to take action and provide support to those who need help.

With the collective efforts of students and staff from the whole school, the school was able to raise around 6.5 million KRW, which was then donated directly to Good Neighbors. Through the acknowledgement ceremony, representatives from Good Neighbors visited the school to accept the donation and provided Alyssa and other students, as well as the service council supervisor, Ms.Choco an update on how the funds would be used. The Good Neighbors expressed gratitude and shared the big impact the school’s donation is going to bring, and were also looking forward to further collaborations with different clubs at our school. The event was a great opportunity to realize how even a small, dedicated community can make a significant difference in times of crisis. It also emphasized the importance of empathy, solidarity, and the role that educational institutions can play in driving social change.

For Alyssa, leading this initiative was a profound learning experience. Through this experience, she not only had to coordinate fundraising efforts but also navigated the logistical aspects of connecting with Good Neighbors, filling out necessary forms, and communicating with a lot of staff members. The process required persistence, attention to detail, and effective collaboration across different school divisions and external organizations. In addition, she gained valuable insights into how donations are processed, the critical role of communication in organizing such large-scale efforts, and the profound impact that even small acts of giving can have on communities in need.