2008-05-07
2455
“A Beautiful Day at the Beautiful Store” Shows Love and Compassion of Mando Corporation“A Beautiful Day,” a successful joint charity event prepared by Mando and the recycling pioneer/entrepreneur Beautiful Store, took place on May 7 at the Store’s Yangjae outlet as crowds of the company employees and staff and local residents participated. The outlet, located on the 1st level basement of the Seoul Office, held the opening charity from 10 AM in the morning, where approximately 30 individuals including Mando’s CEO Mr. Chung Mong-won, President Mr. Byeon Jeong-su, and other management and employees, along with the Beautiful Store’s Senior Executive Director Lee Hye-ok, Mr. Kim Dae-cheol (representative of the Yangjae branch activity angels), volunteers and many more, attended the event and honored the humanitarian cause. The opening program, hosted by Lee Sang-geon, Director of the Store’s Participation Development Division, showcased the congratulatory speeches of the both CEOs, the presentation of a letter of appreciation by the Beautiful Store Executive Director Lee Hye-ok, and the award ceremony for Mr. Kim Hun-tae (manager of overseas operation team), who was recognized as the biggest donator, and for Mr. Jung Yun-gu (division manager of strategic planning team). In his speech, President Byeon said, “I pay my utmost respect to the Beautiful Store, which, since its lunching of the first office in 2002, has been opening and running a total of 86 branches across the country to share a genuine Samaritan love with its neighbors." Mr. Byeon added that he expected such meaningful franchising was enhanced by the good heart and sincerity of Mando employees and staff, resulting in more giving-back-to community and sharing with the community members. On the day of the charity, the Yangjae outlet was filled with about 1,300 donated articles ranging from notebooks to computers to bags to books to clothing, which were collected by Mando individuals from April 8 through 25. The store was packed with visitors and patrons from 10:30 AM all the way through 6 PM. During the morning hours, Ms. Hong In-hwa, the wife of the CEO, worked as an honorary clerk to show and practice her spirit of participation. As the charity took place both on the 1st basement level of the Store and in front of the ground floor entrance to the building, a great number of the employees and staff spontaneously and actively engaged in purchasing, helping the Store rake about 12.5 million won, the record one-day sales for one particular branch, wrapping up the event as a huge success. The Beautiful Store Executive Director Lee expressed gratitude towards Mando, “I appreciate Mando’s donations, which were so sincerely prepared, as well as its staff and employees working for us so hard and so willingly. I’m absolutely amazed at the sales. It’s a record!” During the charity, there was some cut-throat competition observed involving automobile GPS navigation systems and kimchi refrigerators, which were particularly popular among the participants. Securing the two items, therefore, became so competitive that the operators had to implement “a draw system” on the spot to decide which patrons can purchase the items by dividing the sale into morning and afternoon sessions. The improvisation added fun to the occasion as the participants rated the event and gave feedback. In fact, the sales turned out to be so immensely successful that not only all Mando donations but the entire store inventory as well were completely sold off. The mega success would not have been possible without the sweat and the passion of the 23 Mando employees from all business divisions, who, as backed by the enthusiasm and participation spirit of all Mando individuals, volunteered to serve as day clerks, taking time off from their hectic and precious work schedule. The entire revenue from the charity was donated to the Beautiful Store and is to be dispersed to the less fortunate members of the community as a small token of our love and compassion. Mando’s event this year was the second in a string of such events after the 2005 year-end “Beautiful Day” charity. By sharing and practicing love, by giving more to the community, we hope to grow into a company whose core values include social contribution and service.
