Bundled up in scarves and earmuffs, students line up shoulder to shoulder, moving in steady rhythm. One by one, they lift briquettes from a truck piled high and carefully pass them down the line. Despite the biting cold that reddens their noses and cheeks—and the black coal dust smudging their faces and clothes—the air fills with laughter and clouds of white breath.
On February 5, about 130 participants, including members and supervising teachers of ASEZ STAR, delivered a total of 1,000 coal briquettes to two elderly households living alone in Hwangji-dong, Taebaek. With briquette prices rising and winter heating becoming a heavy burden, ASEZ STAR members from the Gangwon region spent their school break carrying out this volunteer service for neighbors in need.
Prior to the delivery, a preparatory meeting was held at Taebaek City Hall. Go Jae-chang, chairman of the Taebaek City Council, and Kim Dae-seung, head of Hwangji-dong, warmly welcomed the ASEZ STAR volunteers and praised their commitment to helping vulnerable neighbors at the start of the new year. Taebaek City Council member Hong Ji-young also encouraged the students, saying, “It’s admirable that you chose to volunteer for briquette delivery during your break. For elderly residents who long for companionship, this will feel like spending time with their own grandchildren.”
Around 11 a.m., the volunteers arrived at Hwangji-dong and, wearing protective arm guards and gloves, formed a human chain from the truck to the homes. Passing briquettes hand to hand, they neatly stacked them in storage sheds. Gusts of strong wind swept through from time to time, but the students hummed tunes, laughed at each other’s coal-dusted faces, and worked quickly and efficiently. Passersby stopped to commend the volunteers for their dedication. After about an hour, each household’s storage was filled with 500 briquettes—enough to last through the winter.
One of the elderly residents expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “In weather this cold, I burn about ten briquettes a day. Because of an injured arm, it’s been hard to organize them, so I’m truly thankful for the students’ help.” Han Ji-min, a member from Gangneung, shared, “I really wanted to take part because briquette service feels like directly delivering warmth to those who need it. I hope the elderly residents can enjoy a cozy and comfortable winter.”
