{"id":13113,"date":"2026-02-25T05:50:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T05:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/?p=13113"},"modified":"2026-02-25T05:57:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T05:57:13","slug":"12-days-of-kkoom-jean-jesse-and-pattys-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/2026\/02\/25\/12-days-of-kkoom-jean-jesse-and-pattys-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Days of KKOOM: Jean, Jessie, and Patty’s Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For our <\/span>12 Days of KKOOM<\/b>, we\u2019re sharing the voices of our volunteers and Board members. Their reflections remind us why community matters and how meaningful moments\u2014big and small\u2014can transform a child\u2019s year.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Jean and other KKOOM Board Members at our 2025 KKOOM Board Retreat.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A Sense of Purpose: Jean's Story<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What is your favorite holiday song?<\/b><\/p>\n

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is the most meaningful gift you\u2019ve ever received, and why?<\/b><\/p>\n

My 7th grade teacher gifted me with a book of devotions and a faberge egg when I graduated from high school. She was not only a wonderful teacher, but she made me feel seen and valued growing up as a Korean American in a rural town.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What\u2019s one of your favorite holiday traditions or memories?<\/b><\/p>\n

I love putting up decorations with my family, ordering pizza and having Home Alone playing in the background. There’s always a sense of cheer that comes around with the holiday season; even with something small as changing your door wreaths. A holiday memory that I cherish is my two kids believing in Santa Claus. I’ll never forget setting out reindeer food, cookies for Santa, and even late night set-ups of my daughter’s Elf on the Shelf. It was lovely seeing the holidays through children’s eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u200b\u200bWhat does KKOOM\u2019s annual holiday campaign mean to you personally?<\/b><\/p>\n

Personally, KKOOM’s holiday campaign gives us an opportunity to express gratitude and spread cheer, but also awareness of our mission and values. It means bringing joy to the children, allowing them to forget about any stresses or worries and giving them a sense of holiday happiness. I also love that we can treat the staff and house mothers who work tirelessly to care for the children on a daily basis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What\u2019s one memory from a KKOOM event that stands out the most?<\/b><\/p>\n

Spending time with fellow Board members at our annual retreat and having the opportunity to meet a scholarship recipient stand out the most. Meeting the recipient and hearing first hand how contributions to KKOOM has impacted their life gave me a glimpse at the real application and usage of our funds, all the while providing a further sense of purpose in my role as a Board Member.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How do you see KKOOM creating long-term change for children in Korea\u2019s social welfare system?<\/b><\/p>\n

I see KKOOM driving lasting change through innovative, needs-based programming that directly supports Korean children in the social welfare system. Achieving any kind of systemic shift will require commitment, so I hope KKOOM will prioritize continuous collaboration and communication with partners to strategically and persistently equalize opportunities for every child.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What hopes do you have for KKOOM\u2019s future and the children we serve?<\/b><\/p>\n

My hope is that KKOOM will continue to provide comprehensive support\u2014including education, after-school programming, and mentorship\u2014starting at any age. Crucially, as these children become young adults, we must supplement this foundation with advanced development opportunities and career mentorship, empowering them to move beyond academics and become active, contributing leaders in their communities.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Jessie and her mom during the holidays.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A Heartwarming Moment: Jessie's Story<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What is your favorite holiday song?<\/b><\/p>\n

“Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” –\u00a0<\/span>NSYNC<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is the most meaningful gift you\u2019ve ever received, and why?<\/b><\/p>\n

The most meaningful gift I’ve received was for Galentines Day from my friend in high school. My favorite animal is an anteater so she hand-sewed small anteater plushies from socks and gave me a dozen of them arranged as a bouquet. It meant so much to me both because of the time and effort she put into making each plushy and for creating something unique based on what she knew I liked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What motivated you to give your time and energy to support KKOOM\u2019s programs?<\/b><\/p>\n

As a Fulbright ETA, I had the privilege of supporting KKOOM\u2019s mission in many different ways, including grant writing, helping with GEM programs, and assisting in organizing their annual Christmas parties. During my grant year, I hoped to immerse myself in Korean culture as much as possible. Because I had little prior experience with or knowledge of the social welfare system, I wanted to learn more while using my free time to serve. Volunteering with KKOOM at the children’s homes has been incredibly rewarding and insightful. Connecting with the children and creating warm memories with them keeps me continuing to gladly volunteer my time and energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is your favorite memory from volunteering with KKOOM?<\/b><\/p>\n

One of my favorite memories volunteering with KKOOM was watching the girls in the GEM program perform their final play, the Matchstick Girl, with the Seoul based non-profit, The Great Commission. The performance was the culmination of many weeks of preparation, and the girls had worked hard to practice, memorize their lines, and rehearse. <\/span><\/p>\n

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This moment was especially meaningful to me because, when I was young, I also loved acting and performing. Seeing the children experience a similar joy to what I had felt as a child was heartwarming. It was so fun to be a part of it, assisting with costumes and makeup and handing them flowers when they were finished performing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you met the children in person, how has meeting them impacted your perspective on KKOOM\u2019s work? If you haven\u2019t, how do you think KKOOM\u2019s work makes a direct impact on the children\u2019s homes we serve?<\/b><\/p>\n

As volunteers, I believe it\u2019s incredibly valuable to meet the children in person whenever possible. Seeing them participate in KKOOM\u2019s events, like the summer GEM camp or the Christmas parties, helps you understand on a deeper level the emotional significance of KKOOM\u2019s work. These moments show how meaningful it is to create opportunities for the children to play, be silly, and experience positivity in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What\u2019s one thing you\u2019ve learned through your volunteer experience?<\/b><\/p>\n

We all have the power to help and put good out into the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What\u2019s one of your favorite holiday traditions or memories?<\/b><\/p>\n

My favorite holiday tradition is watching the Muppets Christmas Carol with my family right before bed on Christmas Eve.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Patty, KKOOM Board Member, hosting students for our U.S. Stay Program.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Happy Memories: Patty's Story<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What is your favorite holiday song?<\/b><\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll Be Home for Christmas”<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is the most meaningful gift you\u2019ve ever received, and why?<\/b><\/p>\n

Our 4 kids gave us a record player for Christmas a few years ago. We can now play our old records again and revel in the nostalgia of the 70s and 80s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What\u2019s one of your favorite holiday traditions or memories?<\/b><\/p>\n

Lighting our Christmas tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u200b\u200bWhat does KKOOM\u2019s annual holiday campaign mean to you personally?<\/b><\/p>\n

It means bringing the joy of Christmas to kids who might otherwise never get to experience this tradition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What\u2019s one memory from a KKOOM event that stands out the most?<\/b><\/p>\n

During an Easter Egg Hunt, one little girl was upset that she only found one egg and do an older child gave her two that he had found.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How do you see KKOOM creating long-term change for children in Korea\u2019s social welfare system?<\/b><\/p>\n

Happy core memories last a lifetime and help children endure the tough times that are ahead. The happy memories that KKOOM helps create through annual events and trips will be a gift that gives them strength.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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What hopes do you have for KKOOM\u2019s future and the children we serve?<\/b><\/p>\n

I hope KKOOM develops more programming that will help the kids we serve develop the resilience they need to overcome the many hardships that lie ahead for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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For our 12 Days of KKOOM, we\u2019re sharing the voices of our volunteers and Board members. Their reflections remind us why community matters and how meaningful moments\u2014big and small\u2014can transform a child\u2019s year. Jean and other KKOOM Board Members at our 2025 KKOOM Board Retreat. A Sense of Purpose: Jean’s Story What is your favorite […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"author_post_stories":[77],"class_list":["post-13113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-holiday-parties","author_post_stories-leah-garlock"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13113"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13125,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13113\/revisions\/13125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13113"},{"taxonomy":"author_post_stories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kkoom.org\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/author_post_stories?post=13113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}