The Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee will provide a total of 150 million KRW in scholarships to 50 promising young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds through the ‘Mercedes-Benz Give and Dream’ scholarship program.
‘Give and Dream’ is part of the sports charity initiative ‘Mercedes-Benz Give’, aimed at promoting a culture of giving through sports. Since 2020, the committee has been annually supporting underprivileged children and youth with the potential to grow into sports talents, and as of this year, a total of 600 million KRW in scholarships has been awarded to 115 individuals.
This year, the scholarship award ceremony for the ‘Give and Dream’ program, now in its fourth edition, was held on the 17th of last month at Jecheon Girls’ High School in Chungbuk. Among those present were Baek Ha-eun, one of the scholarship recipients from Jecheon Girls’ High School, Lee Eun-jung, a committee member of the Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee, and Kim Byung-ki, director of the Children and Future Foundation.
Baek Ha-eun, selected as a first-year scholarship recipient in 2020 when the ‘Give and Dream’ program was first established, has received support for four years thus far. She has been training with assistance for entry fees and equipment purchases. Additionally, Baek will represent the country in roller skating at the ‘2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games’ in Berlin this June and is seen as a potential medalist. The Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee is providing additional financial support for her participation in the international event.
This year, the ‘Give and Dream’ scholarships will be awarded to 50 promising young athletes from various sports disciplines, including football, taekwondo, athletics, skiing, figure skating, and golf, particularly targeting those from low-income families or beneficiaries of basic living allowances. Each scholarship recipient will receive up to 3 million KRW per year, which can be used for competition entry fees, training expenses, sports equipment purchases, and injury treatments.
Lee Eun-jung, a committee member of the Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee, expressed, “It brings me joy to help promising young athletes with growth potential play on a broader stage through Give and Dream, and I send encouragement and support to the athletes who are working hard toward their dreams.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr