Let’s Empty the Earth’s Trash Bin Together!
WeLoveU members in Korea are taking action
to preserve the Earth’s fragile environment, which continues to deteriorate
due to climate change and excessive waste.
From February 24 to 27, six WeLoveU chapters in the Seoul metropolitan area
hosted educational sessions as part of the “Clean WORLD Movement
to Empty the Earth’s Trash Bin” under the WeLoveU School’s
“Small Steps for Global Citizenship 2025” initiative.
It aims to raise awareness of the waste problem, which impacts the environment,
society, and economy as a whole, and to encourage each individual to take the first
small step—starting with me—by practicing responsible consumption and reducing waste.
Through these efforts, we can address global challenges such as climate change
and threats to ecosystems, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable planet.
Teachers who were trained through WeLoveU’s education program last year,
led these sessions, adding even greater significance to the event.
The session kicked off with an interactive activity titled
“A Single Thread Connecting Us”: Participants threw yarn to one another,
forming an interconnected web. Then, by shaking and letting go of the thread,
they experienced how their actions affected the entire network.
The subsequent lesson focused on the harmful consequences of indiscriminate
waste disposal and its impact on the Earth and future generations.
Recognizing the reality of this global issue
is essential for addressing it as global citizens.
Using educational materials developed by WeLoveU headquarters,
teachers objectively illustrated the consequences of excessive waste
and guided participants in identifying practical solutions.
“The Earth is home to all living creatures—humans, sea life, animals,
and plants—thriving in diverse environments such as oceans,
mountains, fields, sky, wetlands, swamps, and rocks.
To preserve this shared home, we must take responsibility for its care.”
During the session, the participants examined the impact
of indiscriminate waste disposal and empathized with the plight of whales
struggling to survive in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP).
They also voiced the perspectives of residents in waste-affected regions,
deepening their awareness of the issue’s severity.
“I am a whale living in the Pacific Garbage Patch. At first, I was pleased to hear that my home was recognized as a ‘country.’ But soon, I faced a problem —I need to eat a lot to sustain my body, yet the trash humans discard makes it impossible to tell what is food. I wish people would stop polluting my home so I can eat, breathe, and live.”
“Where I live, the climate is hot, so we don’t need many clothes. However, in fashion-driven countries, people buy and discard clothing based on trends, leading to an overflow of textile waste in my region. I wish these unnecessary trends would disappear.”
As they discussed the severity of waste disposal, attendees expressed
their distress over the plight of those affected by excessive waste.
Both teachers and participants unanimously pledged to actively participate
in the Clean WORLD Movement and take meaningful steps to reduce waste.
“To an individual, throwing trash into a bin may seem like the end
of the process—out of sight, out of mind. But from a global perspective,
that trash doesn’t disappear; it simply moves elsewhere.
We must go beyond our personal views
and adopt a global mindset to address this issue.”
Moved by these insights, participants nodded in agreement and made a collective
pledge: “We will actively reduce waste, starting with changes in our daily lives.”
Reflections from Participants
The WeLoveU School’s Small Steps for Global Citizenships will continue
until everyone in the global community unites in protecting our planet.
“One person’s small step contributes to the sustainability of humanity.
Join WeLoveU in striving for a cleaner Earth and a better future for all!”
United Efforts Bring Greater Strength to Communities
On February 23, WeLoveU members in the United States carried out
the Clean WORLD Movement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Tampa, Florida.
In Philadelphia, the cleanup was carried out in the northeastern region,
where a small aircraft had crashed just weeks earlier, on January 31.
In Tampa, the event marked the one-year anniversary
of WeLoveU’s adoption of Channelside Drive.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Roughly 300 WeLoveU members from nearby areas gathered to uplift
community spirits following the recent plane crash. Volunteers conducted
a large-scale cleanup around the crash site near Roosevelt Shopping Mall,
collecting approximately 4,000 pounds or two tons of garbage
from Roosevelt Boulevard and Bustleton Avenue.
Pennsylvania state representatives joined the initiative to show their support
for recovery efforts in Northeast Philadelphia and expressed their appreciation
to WeLoveU volunteers. Local businesses such as Raising Cane’s,
Pizza Roma, and The Home Depot contributed by donating food and supplies.
Jared Solomon, Pennsylvania State Representative
“I sincerely appreciate the heroic efforts of first responders, residents who helped each other, and volunteers. I also want to thank WeLoveU for spreading heartfelt love in Northeast Philadelphia since 2018. Your presence means everything to us. What message you’re sending is that folks aren’t forgotten.”
Jared Solomon, Pennsylvania State Representative
Anthony Bellmon, Pennsylvania State Representative
“I can’t thank the WeLoveU Foundation enough. It was also just heartbreaking because you knew that this was just not going to be solved in one day. The fact that you guys are here today, weeks after the tragedy struck, to show Northeast Philadelphia some love means the world to the community. Your impact is going to be long lasting, and I can’t wait to see what we do after the cleanup today because like I said, we need y’all to come back.”
Anthony Bellmon, Pennsylvania State Representative
Sean Dougherty, Pennsylvania State Representative
“This tragedy isn’t something that can be resolved overnight. Weeks have passed, yet your continued presence and compassion continue to uplift this community. Today, we witnessed the best of humanity—people from all backgrounds coming together to help. Thank you, WeLoveU.”
Sean Dougherty, Pennsylvania State Representative
Tampa, Florida
In Tampa, 20 members from WeLoveU gathered to mark the one-year
anniversary of adopting Channelside Drive. Over the past year, WeLoveU
has conducted regular cleanups once every one or two months. On this occasion,
they removed broken glass, nails, bottles, cigarette butts, and more,
transforming the area into a safer, cleaner public space.
“I can imagine how dirty this area gets, and it can get overwhelming for the city.
So, seeing that you have an organization here to assist with that is amazing
for the community. Being here for the first time and learning about your
organization was new to me. This made me more intrigued
to learn more and to see how I can even get involved,”
Likecia Luckey, Speech Pathologist
“I love the cleanup happening today. It makes everything even better.
The community loves it and I love it. Everybody should be involved.
If we want our community to be great,
everyone should give a little part to make the world great.”
Jose, Local Resident
Cleaning and maintaining our neighborhoods play a vital role
in strengthening community spirit, preserving the environment,
and ensuring public health and safety. WeLoveU remains
dedicated to continuous service and collaboration
with local communities to create positive, lasting change.
Show Your Love for Neighbors Through Action
As the year drew to a close, WeLoveU members in the United States
and India practiced love for their neighbors
through the Clean WORLD Movement and blood drive.
They ended 2024 meaningfully by cleaning their local communities
and sharing love through blood drives for neighbors in critical need.
Clean WORLD Movement
- November 17 -
- December 22 -
Channelside Drive in Tampa, Florida, connects to Tampa Bay Harbor,
drawing countless tourists each year. WeLoveU members regularly clean
the surrounding area to ensure that both visitors and residents
can enjoy a pleasant and happy experience in a clean environment.
Blood Drive
- November 24 -
In an effort to address the blood shortage in the community,
238 WeLoveU members and citizens from Bhadradri Kothagudem, India,
participated in the 676th worldwide blood drive.
The Kothagudem Government General Hospital
and the Indian Red Cross Society partnered in the event,
with 100 individuals successfully donating blood.
Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao, Member of the Legislative Assembly
from Telangana State, and Rehman, Deputy Superintendent of Police,
attended the event and expressed their gratitude to WeLoveU
Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, stating,
“Every life is precious, and donating blood is the same as saving lives.”
WeLoveU will continue its diverse activities to create clean
and beautiful communities while raising awareness of the value of life,
in collaboration with governments and local authorities in each country.
WeLoveU’s neighborly love, demonstrated through action,
will continue in 2025.
Green Planet Earth Painted by Children
Children from WeLoveU member families participated in the 2nd Global Children’s Environmental Art Competition organized by the media company Chosun News Press.
Held online from October 21 to 31, the competition featured 776 WeLoveU
children from 21 countries, including Republic of Korea, South Africa,
New Zealand, Germany, Mexico, the United States, Brazil, and Sri Lanka.
Through their artwork, they captured their vision of the Earth and its environment.
Let’s explore the Earth through their imagination and artwork.
🎨 Our Green Planet Earth 🎨
Diverse natural elements make the world
more beautiful and fascinating.
Beautiful Africa created with handprints
I expressed the beauty
of Korea’s four distinct seasons.
I wish to live happily with my family
on this beautifully created Earth.
As trees are planted, dragonflies
and birds come and flowers bloom.
Everyone became happy.
She is a girl who loves the Green Earth.
🎨 The Future We Will Face If We Don’t Change 🎨
Due to global warming, the Earth is melting
and living creatures are disappearing.
A polar bear lost its family and home,
because of global warming.
Look into the mirror and see
the once-cleaned Earth we have lost.
Everything we do to the Earth
comes back to us.
🎨 Let’s Save the Earth Together 🎨
When we plant trees,
it becomes easier to breathe.
Since no one is protecting
the environment, saddened children
are making efforts to create a cleaner world.
This is a robot that picks up trash,
plants flowers, and absorbs polluted air
to keep the Earth clean.
We need heroes to cool down the Earth,
which is heating up due to pollution.
Protecting the Earth for a Brighter Future
On November 26, winners of the 2nd Global Children’s Environmental
Art Competition were announced on the official website.
Out of thousands of entries submitted from around the world, top honors included Seoul Mayor Award, Education Minister Award, and Environment Minister Award, each given to one recipient, along with group awards to two teams. Additionally, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Encouragement Awards and selected entries were presented for each grade level. A total of 74 WeLoveU children received awards: 2 Gold Awards, 8 Silver Awards, 20 Bronze Awards, 44 Encouragement Awards.
🏆 Gold Award
A Bountiful Tree
“I’m so happy to receive this award. I was sad to see colorful, beautiful trees disappearing. I painted trees because I want to see more of them. I hope to live happily with animals in a world full of trees and flowers.”
🏆 Gold Award
Let’s Save Water
“I’m grateful to participate in this competition. While painting, I faced challenges but refused to give up.I won the award and it makes me incredibly happy. I saw news about many people suffering from water shortages, and even animals and birds collapsing from thirst. Remembering those images, I painted with the hope of protecting water.”
“I would like to give thanks to the judges who appreciated my painting. I hope my artwork encourages people to stop littering. From now on, I will help protect the environment by properly disposing of trash, conserving water, and planting trees.
“I am really happy. I felt excited while painting. My dream is to become a police officer to protect people and a firefighter to safeguard people and forests from fires. I want to live happily in the clean Earth.
The award-winning artworks (up to the Silver Prize) were displayed
at Hello Museum, a children’s art museum in Seongsu-dong, Seoul,
from November 30 to December 1.
Children who visited the exhibition with their families
enjoyed taking pictures and shared their opinions about the environment.
WeLoveU will continue to encourage participation in the Environmental Art Competition, which fosters creativity, imagination, and awareness of environmental protection, hoping that the Green Planet Earth becomes cleaner and more beautiful.
The Green Planet Earth we all love! Let’s protect it together with WeLoveU.
Harmonious Cooperation for the Local Environment
During October and November, WeLoveU members in the United States
contributed to the local environmental preservation by creating Mom’s Garden
at parks and farms in New Jersey, Texas, and Connecticut. They planted
137 trees and sowed over 100 seed balls. This initiative was partnered
with SHI, Black Culture Collective, and Manasquan Bank.
Seed balls, made from seeds mixed with soil, clay, and fertilizer, boost germination rates and are frequently used for ecological restoration and tree planting.
October 27
🌳 New Brunswick, NJ: Mountainview Park 🌳
Tree Species: Maple, Oak, Birch
Number of Trees: 25
WeLoveU members, SHI, and volunteers
from the Black Culture Collective collaborated to plant trees,
replacing dead shrubs and restoring vacant spaces in the park.
This effort was also part of New Jersey’s “Beautifying the Highways” program.
🌳 Brick, NJ: Haven’s Farm 🌳
Tree Species: Sweet Bay Magnolia, Red Maple, Red Cedar
Number of Trees: 37
Volunteers from WeLoveU and Manasquan Bank worked in five teams
to plant trees across the grounds of Haven’s Farm in Brick Township.
They also removed weeds and built fences
to protect the trees from wind and wildlife.
November 3
🌳 Austin, TX: West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt 🌳
Tree Species: Indigenous Flora
Number of Trees: 50 Trees & 100+ Seed Balls
As part of efforts to protect forests and restore ecological balance, volunteers
planted indigenous trees and sowed seed balls in restricted development zones.
They removed invasive species, scraped tree bark to promote growth,
and worked to restore the area’s natural habitat. This initiative was supported
by SHI and the Black Cultural Community.
November 17
🌳 Bristol, CT: Memorial Boulevard Park 🌳
Tree Species: American Elm, Flowering Dogwood
Number of Trees: 25
A total of 92 WeLoveU members and local residents gathered at a park
in Bristol, an area with low green coverage, to plant various types of trees
that help improve air quality and soil conditions.
Dr. Pamela Monaco, President of Ocean County College
“On this beautiful fall morning in central New Jersey, an extraordinary initiative began as WeLoveU volunteers came together to beautify the park by planting trees. Everyone worked passionately, digging through the hard soil and carrying water buckets to care for the Earth. It has truly been an inspiring day!”
Dr. Pamela Monaco, President of Ocean County College
Tony Kono, Chairperson of Brick Township Environmental Commission
“I’ve worked with many volunteer groups, but WeLoveU members are truly remarkable. Everyone is so passionate and energetic. Your spirited chant of ‘We Love You’ is incredible. The Brick Environmental Commission is also working hard to improve the local environment, and we’re happy that you came to Brick Township today. I would love to have you guys back!”
Tony Kono, Chairperson of Brick Township Environmental Commission
Derwin Malone II, Director of Inside Sales for SHI in Austin
“We’re collaborating with WeLoveU to plant trees and vegetation and manage invasive species in the Austin Greenbelt area. Austin is renowned for its beautiful parks and trails, making it crucial to protect this greenbelt, as well as the surrounding lakes and rivers. Working with WeLoveU has been an incredible experience. I hope this effort continues, and I look forward to seeing the amazing work you will accomplish in the future.”
Derwin Malone II, Director of Inside Sales for SHI in Austin
Kevin English, Senior Director of Modern Workplace Services for SHI
“We’re planting trees with WeLoveU, and it’s inspiring to think that in 2–3 years, we’ll be able to return here and see how the trees we planted today have grown. Tree planting plays a significant role in mitigating climate change and improving health. I’d like to thank WeLoveU Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah for her vision in serving the community. SHI, the Black Culture Collective, and WeLoveU will continue this collaboration next year.”
Kevin English, Senior Director of Modern Workplace Services for SHI
Cara Pavalock-D'Amato, Connecticut State Representative
“It’s amazing to see so many people enthusiastically come together for a common goal. You’re doing incredible work. The global changes initiated by the WeLoveU Chairwoman are truly remarkable, inspiring not only me but also many others. I’m delighted to have met you all and excited to see the difference you will continue to make.”
Cara Pavalock-D'Amato, Connecticut State Representative
Through the Mom’s Garden Project,
WeLoveU will continue its harmonious collaboration
with various organizations dedicated to preserving the natural environment.
We look forward to everyone’s continued support
for Mom’s Gardens worldwide.
Protecting Mongolia’s Greener Future by Planting Trees
Mongolia is facing a severe desertification problem.
More than 70% of the country is affected by desertification
due to the rise in temperature, decrease in precipitation,
and the use of grassland for economic development.
As a result, the worsening yellow dust affects neighboring countries,
requiring international cooperation to combat desertification.
WeLoveU is participating in efforts to slow down desertification
in Mongolia through the Mom’s Garden Project.
On September 30, a cold snowy day, WeLoveU members gathered
at the International Cultural Park (IC Park) in Ulaanbaatar.
The initiative aimed to plant trees in the park in collaboration
with Ulaanbaatar Municipality and Khan-Uul District Office.
The plan was to plant trees around existing saplings in the park,
creating a 100-meter-long tree fence.
Tree Species Planted: Caragana Sinica
It increases the nitrogen content in the soil, blocks the wind,
and reduces water evaporation, which helps the growth of other plants
and the recovery of desertified land. It also thrives in harsh environments.
The members dug holes around the sapling field
and carefully planted 400 Caragana Sinica saplings.
They watered the saplings to ensure their roots settle properly
and covered them with soil.
Sugaragchaa, General Manager of Operations at IC Park
“Anyone, including individuals and organizations interested in tree planting, can participate in cultivating our park. I heard that WeLoveU carries out various volunteer activities in Mongolia beyond planting trees. I’m very happy to cooperate with the WeLoveU. I wish good health and happiness to Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah of the WeLoveU Foundation.”
Sugaragchaa, General Manager of Operations at IC Park
Tumenjargal, Agronomist at IC Park
“We are conducting an effort to plant 8,510 trees of 44 species in this IC Park. Today, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation members came and planted 400 trees. As the autumn tree planting campaign has begun, we encourage anyone to join the campaign to create a greener future.”
Tumenjargal, Agronomist at IC Park
Trees absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, and help mitigate
climate change. They are also effective in combating desertification.
The Mongolian government has declared a goal of planting 1 billion trees by
2030 under the One Billion Trees campaign, while Ulaanbaatar City has launched
its own initiative to plant 120 million trees as part of this nationwide effort.
WeLoveU will continue to carry out “Mom’s Garden” projects in various places
in cooperation with the Mongolian government and local governments
to prevent desertification and create a green environment.
The members hope the planted saplings will grow tall and beautiful,
providing a shelter for citizens
and contributing to the prevention of desertification.