Jimin entered the church with a sturdy box in her arms. It was a familiar habit for her, one she often performed as the seasons changed. Each season, she gathered donations from her neighbors and friends and even things she had no use for anymore. While her parents took care of the food donations, she found herself tasked with organizing these types.
She placed the box gently on the table, her mind wandering off to the people such a simple box could impact so greatly. After a moment, she turned to the priest, who was arranging some other things nearby. "Father, how have you been?" she asked, a bright smile on her face.
The priest looked up, his face lighting with recognition. “Ah, Jimin! It’s good to see you. I’m well, thank you. And yourself?”
“I’m doing well, thank you! Just wanted to drop this off before the colder months.” she replied, her eyes gesturing to the box. Their conversation flowed easily, filled with small talk about the church’s upcoming events and the holiday festivities that would soon decorate the streets and homes of haepung.
Jimin glanced at the time displayed on the grand clock, realizing it was time to go. “I wish you all the best for the upcoming holiday season, Father. The church is a safe haven for many.” Offering a bow with her words, she always presented herself with the utmost gentility.
“Thank you, Jimin. Your kindness always makes a difference,” he replied, his voice sincere.
With a jovial wave, she was heading out of the chapel, with a lingering smile of solace.It always was a great joy to her giving back to her hometown’s needy. But her altruism made her feel she could always do more.
Hyungsik looked around to the hospital little booth on the church yard. The weather was getting pretty cold these days and since there weren't a lot of patient in the hospital, the director of the hospital decided to join the event to help and give back to the community. He gave the nurse a soft smile as he thanked her for her hard work, returning to the table where they set the Sphygmomanometers ready. There were three other doctors aside from himself and several nurses who would be ready to check the homeless and elders health.
"Okay, looks good. We have the medicines ready right? Mung bean soup, bread, and milk are all warmed up and packed?" He asked, turning his attention to the side where they've also prepared those quick warm snacks for whoever come for the health check. It might not much but at least the warm soup could help those who are in need. This was also one of the reasons of why Hyungsik be a doctor, even though one might said that it was too cliche of him.
Not more than ten minutes later, they finally had few first visitors to the booth, mainly elderly people. With a kind and bright smile on his face, he patiently tended and helped them, even though he needed to talk slightly louder than usual due to their declining in hearing ability, but volunteer work like this was always a fun and exciting one. He just hope that this kind of activity would be a regular one since there are still a lot of people who are in need.
Not a religious person himself, but with a good heart to give back to the society, Taeyong entered the church with duffel bag of old clothes slung around his shoulder, the other free hand holding his daughter. "Why are we giving away the old clothes, daddy?"
Nearing the donation boxes, he placed the bag neatly amongst the pile of clothes already donated, then knelt down to face his daughter eye-level. "Well, we're not wearing them anymore, right? Especially your clothes, you've grown out of it, so why not give it to younger children who don't have pretty clothes to wear?"
"Ah! Then am I Santa Claus?"
"Yes, you're Miss Santa Claus now~ I taught you before right? If you're receiving lots of love from people around you, then it's only right to give it back. Some people are not that lucky, like my luckiest Eunchae here, so we should help them out whenever we can and have the ability to, got it?"
"Ooh, like how you always told me to share my food if my friends want to eat?"
"Yes, but of course, you have to make sure you're full first!"
"I know, I always share, Hyunseo always likes the bulgogi you pack for me, Daddy! She also shares her food with me, too."
"That's great, isn't it~ my daughter is the kindest child~"
"Hehe."
Taking her hand once again, he did a little prayer towards the cross as a sign of respect before leaving the place, hoping that whatever he donated today would be put to good use.
Eunbi rolled in with a box full of different stuff to donate on her lap. She sighed upon seeing what is a spoiled brat only able to shake her head as she left the box near the donation boxes before rolling away.
Bible smiled a little bitterly as he entered the church. His name, carrying everything that is supposed to do with the place, but his heart is so detached from it that he feels almost fearful as he stepped inside. His eyes wandered around, looking for the place where he could quietly drops some of his clothes, the ones that mostly reminded him too much of home and of his past, the ones he never reached out for any more, the ones that would set him free. He quickly ran away when he saw someone approaching him, promising himself to deny all kind of questions if anyone were to ask him if he visited the church.
“But halmoni…” the heiress whined as she clutched her bag of designer coats and other clothing for dear life while her grandmother tossed hers and her grandfather’s down the chute. “These are all my precious babies. What if they get cold at night?” Her grandmother peeled Jennie’s fingers off, giving her a look. “The people who won’t have shelter will be cold at night. There are people less fortunate than us.”
Seokwoo wasn’t religious so this was one of the few times he’d ever stepped foot onto the property. With a polite smile at the staff and a bag of lightly worn clothes, he approached the steel donation boxes, throwing it in and shutting the bin.
