GS Caltex runs programs to help community

GS Caltex has been organizing art therapy for children, a center for the elderly, scholarship funds for low-income students and other social contribution programs in South Korea.

Since 2013, the nation’s second-largest oil refiner has been running the Maeum Toktok program, which provides psychological therapy through art, acting and dancing to children who have suffered from domestic and school violence. So far, more than 4,300 children have received the treatment.

Starting this year, GS Caltex plans to join hands with the Education Ministry to open new schools and centers to provide more art therapy sessions to more children.

The oil firm has also been running a facility for the elderly that provides lunch to over 350 seniors every day. Run by former GS employees and local volunteer groups, the center has provided over 530,000 free meals for seniors from 2008 to 2014.

Among other social contribution efforts, GS Caltex has been awarding the “GS Caltex Scholarship” to middle school, high school and university students in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, since 1996. As of 2004, 7,700 students have received 5.7 billion won in scholarships from the oil firm.

Over the coming years, GS Caltex vowed to “continue expanding and sustaining its social programs to bring meaningful change to Korean society.”

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)