An aged woman and her 6-year-old grandson recently died in South Jeolla Province when their countryside home caught fire from a burning candle. According to news reports, the woman’s husband went out to call for firefighters, leaving her and the child behind. When he returned, he found them dead in the fire.

The tragedy for the destitute family resulted from the restriction on their use of electricity. On Oct. 30, Korea Electric Power Corp. notified the family of its decision to keep it from using more than a certain amount of electricity because it had failed to pay the utility bills for the previous six months. The family, mistakenly assuming power was cut off, started to burn candles at night.

A little contribution, either from the government or a private charity, or a detailed explanation on the restriction on the use of power could have saved the woman and the child. But no such help was coming to the old couple, who had been rearing their grandson on behalf of their poor daughter.

The tragedy came as a reminder for the need for sharing with needy people at this time of the year when Community Chest of Korea, the Salvation Army and other private charities were set to kick off fundraising campaigns. Indeed, Community Chest of Korea launched a two-month campaign on Monday, aiming to collect 267 billion won from both corporations and individuals, up 3 percent from the same period last year.

In times of hardship, however, the charities may find it difficult to attain their fundraising targets. Contributions may decline, with family incomes remaining stagnant or declining. Moreover, many people are encouraged to apply for early retirement or being forced out of jobs as an increasing number of businesses are undergoing the painful process of restructuring.

Still, millions of people who are not adequately fed, clothed or sheltered during this cold season are out there, waiting for support from charities. Individuals, corporate conglomerates and smaller business concerns are all encouraged to help make the community more livable by participating in the fundraising campaigns for the needy people.

Individuals are urged to drop one 10,000 won bill or two in a Salvation Army kettle or send to other charities what little amount of money they can afford to. But the lion’s share will have to come from large profitable corporations such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, as it has done in the past.