The Mercedes-Benz Foundation announced on the 24th that it has donated 450 million won from the funds raised during last year’s ‘10th Give & Race’ event to establish a multi-cultural space ‘Dulaknalak’ for children in Busan.
‘Dulaknalak’ is a newly conceived space initiated by the city of Busan for local children, currently managing 47 locations in the city. This multifaceted cultural space is equipped with a children’s library and various play facilities, offering diverse activities such as digital education and experiences, exhibitions, and English learning.
The Mercedes-Benz Foundation participated in the development of ‘Dulaknalak,’ which will be the first sports-specialized children’s complex in Busan, spanning 178 m² (54 pyeong) in the park plaza north of the Geumjeong Sports Park. They supported the construction with 450 million won from the fundraising efforts at last year’s Give & Race event. The Geumjeong Sports Park ‘Dulaknalak’ will operate as a child-friendly, play-based learning space, integrating analog and digital content with a focus on sports.
The opening ceremony for the Geumjeong Sports Park Dulaknalak on the 23rd was attended by Matthias Weitl, Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Foundation, Lee Jun-seung, Vice Mayor of Busan, Choi Byung-han, President of Busan MBC, and Kim Byeong-gi, Head of the Foundation for Children and Future, adding significance to the event.
Matthias Weitl, Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Foundation, expressed, “I am pleased to gift a playground that is wide open to the children in our community through the running event that spreads the culture of giving. We will continue to strive for differentiated social contribution activities to spread positive influence among our neighbors around us.”
Meanwhile, the Give & Race, established as a representative social contribution activity of the Mercedes-Benz Foundation since its inception in 2017, has attracted approximately 131,000 participants and raised over 6.6 billion won by the 11th event. All proceeds from the fundraising are used for underprivileged children and youth. Of the 1 billion won raised last year, 500 million won was donated to Busan, and aside from the 450 million won allocated to Dulaknalak, 50 million won was provided for a shelter for abused children with disabilities in the local area.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr