{"id":19803,"date":"2024-12-20T16:30:59","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T07:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/askinno.com\/global\/?p=19803"},"modified":"2025-10-26T14:39:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T05:39:49","slug":"heroes-among-us-stories-from-the-hearts-of-sk-innovation-affiliates-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/askinno.com\/global\/archives\/19803","title":{"rendered":"Heroes among us: Stories from the hearts of SK Innovation affiliates’ members"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We’ve all watched superheroes in movies and read about them in books, wondering, “Could I ever help someone like that?” While we might not have the superpowers to fly or teleport, there are genuine heroes all around us who make a difference in many lives. Think of the kind restaurant owner who shares meals to help a hungry neighbor, the college student who happily lends a hand during the busy farming season, or the skilled professional who offers haircuts or home repairs for those who need a little extra help. These everyday neighbors are true heroes<\/strong>, bringing positive changes to the lives of those around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even within SK Innovation and its affiliates, there are individuals who walk the path of heroes by spreading positive influence in their daily lives. Over the past 20 years, the company\u2019s members have embraced volunteering as a unique cultural practice, planting seeds of hope in local communities and the environment through their efforts. To encourage even more participation, the company introduced the \u201cVolunteer Badge<\/strong>\u201d system for the first time this year. Much like a game, this system assigns levels based on the accumulated hours of volunteer work each year. When members meet certain criteria, they can level up instantly, adding fun and fulfillment to their volunteer experiences. Notably, those who contribute over 64 hours annually receive the esteemed \u201cV-Hero<\/strong>\u201d title, reflecting their outstanding commitment. Through this initiative, the company not only expresses heartfelt gratitude to its members but also seeks to promote the value of volunteering and inspire even more voluntary involvement.<\/span><\/p>\n

On December 19, SK Innovation held the “SK Innovation Affiliates Volunteer Recognition Day 2024” to reflect on the volunteer work done throughout the year. This event was a meaningful occasion to honor exceptional volunteers who have passionately extended warm kindness to their neighbors over the past year. From “V-Heroes” who contributed more than 64 hours to outstanding volunteer coordinators and exemplary leaders, the ceremony celebrated those who went above and beyond. Today, we would like to share the messages from four of these inspiring “heroes.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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This year, as a volunteer coordinator, I had a whirlwind of activity installing electrical panels, putting up wallpaper, and replacing flooring for neighbors in tough housing situations. At times, the prep work was tiring and tough, but I hung in there and gave it my all. I can vividly remember getting everything ready for the “House Repair of Love” project, from scouting out the sites and buying materials to handling waste and rounding up volunteers. The result of all that work is now a treasure trove of precious memories for me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The moments that really stick with me are seeing the beaming smiles of our neighbors when they saw their newly spruced-up homes, and the birthday parties we threw for kids in need. The kids\u2019 pure laughter and those bright, sparkling eyes still warm my heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d love to see others try stepping out of their comfort zones and dive into different kinds of volunteer work.You\u2019ll find new kinds of joy and inspiration <\/strong>that you\u2019ve never experienced before. Next year, I\u2019m excited to spread this spirit even wider and add a little light to brighten our community.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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This year, stepping into the role of a volunteer coordinator for the first time, I got the chance to dive deep into SK Innovation\u2019s various volunteer activities. One piece of advice from the volunteer coordinator workshop at the start of the year really resonated with me: \u201cIt\u2019s important to volunteer a lot, but it\u2019s even better to be the first to jump in.<\/strong>\u201d This advice was a game-changer for me. It broke down my preconceived notion that volunteering is a tough task requiring a lot of time and effort. Instead, it gave me the courage to try out as many different activities as I could.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

With this new mindset and courage, I joined efforts like removing invasive plants, creating e-books for the visually impaired, and participating in meal-sharing activities. Through these experiences, I rediscovered the true meaning of volunteering. The “Bottle Cap Returns” project was particularly special because it allowed me to tackle challenges I encountered during my two-year research project on plastic recycling. Having firsthand experience of how tough it is to sort and collect raw materials for plastic reuse made me even more dedicated to the cause.<\/span><\/p>\n


\nAnother driving force for me was the desire to participate in every activity and share the pros and cons with my fellow members. I\u2019m grateful for the rewarding environment that allowed me to join so many activities and feel such a sense of fulfillment. This year\u2019s experiences have inspired me to contribute even more in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The fact that I can make a real difference in someone\u2019s life through blood donation<\/strong> has always meant a lot to me. There’s something truly special about being able to save a life through such a simple act.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My blood donation journey began with a group donation back in high school. That small start has turned into a practice that\u2019s been part of my life for 19 years now, and I\u2019m nearing my 300th donation, with 298 completed so far. One of the most fulfilling moments was hearing that my blood donation helped a friend\u2019s parent during surgery. The joy and emotion from that experience still shine brightly in my heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking ahead, my goal is to reach 400 donations before I turn 40<\/strong>. I\u2019m committed to staying healthy so I can continue donating for as long as possible. Beyond that, I want to spread awareness about the importance of blood donation and the preciousness of life. I\u2019m dedicated to continuing this special practice of sharing life through blood donation and bringing warmth to the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Getting busy colleagues to understand the essence of volunteering and encouraging them to join in was definitely not an easy task. Sometimes, I ran into negative perceptions like, “What\u2019s in it for me if I volunteer?” or “Isn’t volunteering just for those who have more spare time?” It was never simple to get people involved, but by approaching them with sincerity<\/strong>, I started to see my coworkers gradually change, and I learned a lot myself through this journey.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s tough to pick just one memorable moment because every volunteer activity I’ve participated in has been meaningful in its own way, and I’ve felt both big and small rewards throughout. Just being part of new activities and witnessing the change unfold was incredibly moving.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I know there must have been a lot of hidden efforts from so many people to achieve this level of success, especially in areas that might not initially capture everyone’s interest. I\u2019m truly grateful to the members of the departments who worked hard behind the scenes. Thanks to your efforts, more people have come to realize the value of volunteering and have joined in to create a better tomorrow. You all worked so hard this year, and I really appreciate it. Let\u2019s join forces again next year to create even more meaningful moments together.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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