Under the motto “Where the world's greatest dream grows,” learning spaces were built in libraries and community children's centers across the country so that all children can enjoy equal educational opportunities. Starting with the first store in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, a “Little Library” was established across the country. From 2022, textile panels upcycled from clothing waste will be made into furniture that adds environmental value, and the scope of support has been expanded to include special schools and medical facilities. To date, total donations have reached more than 3 billion won, with 200,000 book endorsements and 4.8 million visitors.
On the 13th (Thursday), the 100th special hall was opened at Seoul Children's Hospital, the only public hospital in Korea specializing in the rehabilitation of children with developmental disabilities, located in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Before the event, a celebratory performance by the Seoul Star Harmonia Orchestra, consisting of children and young people with developmental disabilities, took place at the Seoul Children's Hospital, which left a special impression. The event began with a video demonstration of the preparation process for the 100th Little Library, followed by a sign-making ceremony and a donation book unveiling ceremony. Lotte Home Shopping employees participated in experiential activities such as pressing crafts and writing wish cards with children, and conducted volunteer activities such as classifying and organizing donated books.
The 100th Special Hall of Seoul Children's Hospital is even more significant because Lotte Home Shopping executives and customers are involved together from the selection of the target location to the creation of the location. The final destination was selected through a vote of executives and employees, and approximately 1,000 donated books from executives and employees were housed in the library. In the representative broadcast of “Choi Yurasho” by Lotte Home Shopping, 1,004 won per order was collected through a joint broadcast and used as construction costs. In the library, bookshelves and desks made from fiberboard recycled from approximately three tons of old clothing were installed to create environmentally friendly added value. The special library “Little Library 100” will be used in the future as an open cultural space that offers rest and learning to children who are tired during the treatment process.
In addition, Lotte Home Shopping practices the value of sustainable resource circulation by using discarded banners and fiberboard that have been processed into used clothing in library furniture and sculptures. The eco-friendly upcycling attempt was first introduced in 2022 at the Gumi “Haepyeong Nuri Small Library” in Gyeongsangbuk-do. During the company's internal ideas competition, the MZ Generation employees' upcycling idea was implemented into a real company and 1 ton of clothing waste was reborn as a bookshelf and desk. Using upcycled materials from the outdoor area of the Namsan Library in Seoul, it will be expanded to a total of six areas, including Seoul Jeongjin School, Bucheon Gogang-dong Regional Children's Center, Hanam Bobas Hospital and Seoul Children's Hospital. So far, 17 tons of waste fibers have been converted into a learning space for children.
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