[Hwaseong = E-Daily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] Samsung’s philanthropic efforts are extending beyond the confines of the company to the local community. This approach involves employees’ everyday spending supporting the sales of local small business owners, with a portion of those profits then donated to help neighbors in need. As the company, its labor union, and local shops come together as active participants in this giving initiative, Samsung’s corporate social responsibility activities are evolving beyond simple donations into a win-win model that grows alongside the local community.

On the 12th, SamsungElectronics held the “2026 Day of Sharing” event at the DSR CORP Tower on its Hwaseong campus in Gyeonggi Province to share the achievements of its employees’ social contribution activities. Marking its fourth year, the event was attended by approximately 100 people, including Park Yong-in, President of SamsungElectronics’ System LSI Business Division; Kim Seon-min, a lawmaker from the Innovation Party for the Nation; Lee Jun-seok, a lawmaker from the Reform Party; and representatives from social contribution organizations.

A highlight of this year’s event was the first donation ceremony for “Sharing Store,” a social contribution program based on labor-management cooperation. President Park, Choi Seung-ho, Chairman of the SamsungElectronics Branch of the Cho-Gi-Up Labor Union, and a local shop owner took the stage together to present donations to Save the Children, Good Neighbors, and Green Umbrella. The donations will be used to support vulnerable children and adolescents.

“Sharing Store” is a program in which Samsung employees patronize designated restaurants or cafes near their workplaces, and those establishments donate a portion of their sales. It is a system where employees’ spending translates into revenue for local small business owners, and the businesses, in turn, give back a portion of their profits to the local community. Currently, 370 stores near 22 business sites across 17 affiliated companies—including SamsungElectronics, SamsungElectroMechanics, Samsung Display, and SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD.—are participating in the program. In essence, this employee-centered charitable initiative has expanded to support local businesses through labor-management cooperation.

In his welcoming remarks, President Park said, “I expect the ‘Sharing Stores,’ which promote mutual growth with the local community, to become another successful CSR model that spreads a culture of mutual growth rooted in the local community,” adding, “Samsung will continue to exert a positive influence alongside the local community and carry out various CSR activities.”

The expansion of these sharing initiatives is driven by the voluntary participation of employees. Approximately 108,000 employees from 23 Samsung affiliates took part in “Sharing Week,” which began on the 2nd. This represents an increase of about 23% compared to last year’s 88,000 participants. Employees engaged in a variety of volunteer activities, including donations and blood drives, as well as providing education at local children’s centers, cleaning animal shelters for abandoned dogs, and preparing meals for elderly people living alone.

Management also pitched in. Jeon Young-hyun, Vice Chairman and CEO of SamsungElectronics’ Device Solutions (DS) Division, participated in a cookie-making volunteer activity at a standard workplace for people with disabilities alongside the labor union. Noh Tae-moon, President and CEO of the Device Experience (DX) Division, also prepared meals for seniors living alone at the Gwanggyo Senior Welfare Center in Suwon.

The event also highlighted how small donations from employees had transformed the life of one family. The mother of Hansol (pseudonym), who received support through Samsung’s “Sharing Kiosk,” took the stage personally to express her gratitude. She explained that while caring for her son, who had been diagnosed with an intellectual disability, she had lived with the burden of medical expenses and fears about his future; however, thanks to the support of Samsung employees, she was able to continue his treatment consistently.

Hansol’s mother said, “I always felt guilty because I wanted to do more for my child but couldn’t,” adding, “Above all, I was afraid for my child’s future. I just hoped things would get even a little better than they are now.” She continued, “He’s gradually able to do more things on his own, and communicating with him has become easier than before,” and said, “Now, I look toward my child’s future with anticipation rather than fear.”

The Sharing Kiosk, which supported Han-sol, operates by donating 1,000 won each time an employee taps their ID card. Launched in 2015 at the Gumi plant, the program has since expanded to 156 kiosks both domestically and internationally. Cumulative donations have exceeded 14.46 billion won, and 5,137 children have received support to date. During this year’s Sharing Week, a special fundraiser raised 300 million won for 20 children.

The blood donation activities, which have continued for 30 years, are another prime example of the company’s giving. SamsungElectronics has been conducting blood donation campaigns since 1996, with cumulative employee participation reaching approximately 450,000. From 2022 through this year, the company has also donated 20 blood donation buses. During the event, awards were presented to outstanding employees, including Kim Ji-ho, an employee at SamsungElectronics’ Semiconductor Research Institute, who achieved his 100th blood donation.

Samsung also operates a matching gift program, in which the company contributes an equal amount when employees select a charitable cause. Currently, approximately 156,000 employees have participated in this donation pledge. In his congratulatory remarks that day, Lee Jun-seok, a lawmaker from the Reform Party, encouraged Samsung employees’ charitable activities, stating, “Support for future generations inspires greater dreams and hope in those we help than we might imagine.”