GS Caltex focuses on local needs in CSR

GS Caltex employees pack gifts for a Santa Claus-clad volunteer to deliver to children at Dream Tree Village orphanage in Seoul. / Courtesy of GS Caltex

By Park Jin-hai

GS Caltex under the slogan of “Beautiful World through Energy Sharing” carries out a range of social responsibility programs, which cater to the needs of local people.

The “Maeum TokTok,” one of its representative nation-wide CSR programs, provides psychological therapy through art, acting and dancing for children who have suffered from violence at home and in school since 2013. So far, more than 7,400 children have been through this program.

Currently, more than 50 percent of employees at the nation’s second largest oil refiner have been voluntarily participating in the program, while the company runs a matching grant system to support their contribution.

GS Caltex has also committed itself to meeting a desire for culture from people living in less developed areas. Spending 110 billion won, it built a giant cultural center named Yeulmaru in Yeosu, where its main plant is located.

The facility, opened to the public in 2012, has been giving people in the industrial city opportunities to enjoy a variety of top-level performances and exhibitions that were otherwise available only in Seoul and other urban areas.

Over 380,000 local citizens including over 10,000 underprivileged people have appreciated performances given as of September.

The company has been awarding scholarships to academically talented students in Yeosu since 1996. The accumulated scholarships will reach 5.8 billion won, benefiting some 7,800 students.

The company has also hired native English teachers to provide a better environment for children that live on remote islands to study English.

Other social contributions include free lunches for needy senior citizens in Yeosu on weekdays, and year-end donations for destitute and ailing people.

Its successful social contribution programs have been gathering more steam with more employees getting involved year after year.

It currently has 32 volunteer groups in operation, where its members provide around 20 social contribution activities that regularly include repairing boilers and electric equipment, delivering food and cleaning for senior citizens and providing cultural experiences for the disabled.

In May, mentoring volunteer group where employees visit the Dream Tree Village orphanage and give one-on-one mentoring sessions every month, and junior volunteer group comprised of children of employees have also begun.

"We focus on sustainable social contribution programs in order to make practical changes in society. We will continue to expand our activities catering to the local needs of the region,” said a GS Caltex spokesman.