Volunteering

I cannot remember the first time I volunteered at Beautiful Store, non-profit organization, in Korea. My grandmother is the founder of the organization and served as CEO until 2022—it feels like it has always been part of my life. From a young age, I was surrounded by the spirit of giving, and volunteering became something as natural as going to school.

 

Whether I was sorting donated goods, greeting customers with a smile, or keeping the shelves organized, I felt a sense of purpose in even the smallest tasks.

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The Beautiful Store opened its first shop in Anguk, Seoul about 20 years ago, and today, it has grown to 107 stores. It is one of Korea’s most influential non-profit organization and stores. Its mission is simple but powerful: to encourage people to reuse and recycle, to reduce waste, and to support those in need. Watching the organization grow and knowing that I could play a small part in its work has been both inspiring and humbling.

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In my family, volunteering is not something we do once in a while—it is our culture. My grandmother’s effort of turning one small store into a nationwide movement is a kind of culture, and it guides the way we think about community and responsibility. Through my experiences, I have learned that serving others does not require grand actions; even small efforts can build a better society.

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For me, Beautiful Store is more than a place to volunteer. It is where I learned compassion, teamwork, and the joy of being part of something bigger than myself.