On April 27, 2003, the 2nd New Life Family Walkathon was held in Namsan, Seoul, Korea, under the slogan, “Save Life With the Power of Family Love.” Following the first walkathon in 2002, this second walkathon was co-hosted by the New Life Welfare Foundation and the Korea Child Protection Foundation. Over 10,000 members from the New Life Welfare Foundation gathered together to share love with the neighbors.
Save Life With the Power of Family Love
The event to remember family love unfolded before the month of family, May. This is not the first time that the New Life Welfare Foundation has awoken a heartless society to the value of love and delivered love to neighbors. Until now, the New Life Welfare Foundation has practiced love by treating neighbors the way they want to be treated, through various and professional welfare activities such as child welfare, disabled people welfare, elderly welfare, social welfare, and emergency relief. Among the activities, the walkathon is not only a happy and rewarding memory for the participating families but also plays a role in delivering happiness and hope to underprivileged neighbors.
Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Zahng Gil-jah delivered a congratulatory speech, saying, “In this age, we need to share more love with our family and our neighbors.” She said she was confident that the light of abundant love would shine the light of hope on the places in the shade. She emphasized the value of life, reminding everybody of the purpose of this event–save life through love.
There was also warm support in the steps of practicing love for family and neighbors. Eminent people from all walks of life attended the walkathon: Chairman of Sejong General Hospital Park Yeong-gwan; CEO of Nestle Korea Lee Sam-hui; Director of Allianz Life Insurance Co., Ltd Trevor Dalziel participated together. President Lee Bae-geun and Director Lee Sang-dae and Sponsor Chairperson Actress Kim Chang-suk from the Korea Child Protection Foundation, and more joined the walkathon. Sponsorship from many companies was also carried out on a large scale.
A Rewarding Day With Love for Family and Neighbors
Participants wearing white shirts took powerful steps along the 4 km [2.5 mile] course. They were full of smiles and laughter throughout the walkathon at the thought of being able to save lives while strengthening family love and harmony. All donations collected on this day were used to help three children with heart disease and underprivileged neighbors to deliver hope to them.
After the walkathon, various side events were held to celebrate the upcoming Children’s Day on May 5 and to build up family harmony. The taping of KBS children’s program, “Into the World of Children’s Song” brought forth even more laughter, and the members were able to end the day by having spent a fruitful time with their family.
Love Is the Great Power That Contributes to the World
“I am so happy beyond anything else that the second New Life Family Walkathon is being held and making contribution, though small, to saving life and creating a harmonious family through family love. Among the forces that dominate the world, love is the strongest one.”Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Zahng Gil-jah
A heart that understands, helps, and values others, is love. Love brings happiness to home, and hope and courage to neighbors. Even in the future, the New Life Welfare Foundation will continue to go toward a hopeful tomorrow for humankind with love that looks after family and treats neighbors as they would themselves.
