Allianz offers helps to neighbors in need

The Allianz Life guitar band “Peak Time” performs at Saemmul Hospice in Seoul on Sept. 22. / Courtesy of Allianz Korea

By Kim Tae-gyu

Allianz Life Korea said Monday that the insurer had held corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities at an orphanage and a hospital for terminally ill patients in Seoul last week.

Around 20 employees of the Seoul-based outfit visited Ethel Village, an orphanage for girls, to clean the facility and have outdoor activities with the girls there.

The firm’s in-house guitar band, “Peak Time,” also performed at Saemmul Hospice for patients diagnosed with terminal cancer.

After that, the band members helped them have a meal and take a short walk where possible.

“My heart was full because we could give some comfort to patients who suffer from difficult diseases. One of them grabbed my hand and thanked me for being friend to chat with,” an Allianz official said.

“I plan to proactively take part in various CSR activities for our neighbors during the rest of the year.”

Allianz Life Korea, a mid-tier life insurer here, has maintained a good reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.

It formed a partnership with three major charities ― Good Neighbors, Child Fund and Save the Children ― so that its workers can make donations periodically.

Once they make a promise to contribute a certain amount every month to one of the three organizations, Allianz Life donates exactly the same amount under a matching grant, which attracted a vast majority of Allianz employees.

Around half of employees also partake in CSR activities arranged by the company and some employees or agents organize such good-will activities on their own.

“Allianz is different from other companies in that its employees are very serious about charity and CSR activities. Some of them have worked for the same orphanages or hospitals for several consecutive years,” a Save the Children official said.

In particular, the company has been recognized for its consistency as amply demonstrated by its support for biannual meetings of student council leaders at elementary schools in Seoul and its vicinity.

Allianz started to financially underpin the events in 1992 and has continued to do so for the past 24 years.