Shincheonji Gwangju Church Continues Weekly Plogging Campaign for One Year

Ongoing Environmental Cleanup Around Local Neighborhood Streets

The Shincheonji Gwangju Church Public Relations Team, part of the Peter Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has been carrying out a weekly plogging campaign for about one year, helping improve the local environment around the church.

Plogging—an activity that combines jogging or walking with picking up litter—has been conducted once a week since March 2025 in neighborhoods near the church, including nearby restaurant areas and residential alleyways.

During the campaign, volunteers collect cigarette butts and everyday litter while walking through local streets.

Consistent Volunteer Efforts Bring Visible Changes

Unlike one-time volunteer events, the cleanup activity has continued regularly for nearly a year. As a result, street conditions in many alleyways have gradually improved, and the effort has gained attention and encouragement from local residents.

The consistent presence of volunteers wearing blue vests has also made the activity familiar to people living and working nearby.

Residents and local shop owners have begun to recognize the campaign as part of ongoing community care.

Everyday Acts of Kindness During Volunteer Activities

In addition to cleaning the streets, volunteers have also been engaging naturally with local residents during the activity.

According to organizers, volunteers have helped neighbors with small everyday tasks such as:

• Assisting a resident who asked for help recording a video on a smartphone

• Helping an elderly person carry heavy belongings

There were also moments of spontaneous cooperation from passersby. During one cleanup activity, a person smoking on the street voluntarily extinguished the cigarette and placed the cigarette butt into the trash bag carried by volunteers.

Positive Reactions From Local Residents

Local businesses have also expressed appreciation for the continued cleanup efforts.

A nearby hair salon owner recognized the volunteers and thanked them for their street cleaning work.

One resident living in Ochi-dong, Buk District, identified as Park Jae-su (pseudonym, 72), shared his thoughts:

“There are not many people who clean even the small alleyways like this. After seeing them regularly, I realized the church was doing volunteer work here. Since they clean the neighborhood every week, the area feels much cleaner. I’m really grateful.”

Strengthening Community Connection Through Environmental Action

A representative from Shincheonji Gwangju Church explained that the plogging campaign has become an opportunity not only to care for the environment but also to build natural connections with neighbors.

The church stated that the weekly activity has allowed volunteers to interact with residents and contribute to the community in meaningful ways.

The organizers added that they plan to continue environmental protection and community-focused volunteer activities in the future.

Source: https://vo.la/Q2BBMNm