Lonely expats in Daegu will get a chance to meet someone special and help kids at the same time at a special dating event this weekend.

Daegu’s Time to Give, a nonprofit organization that helps disadvantaged children in the city, is running a speed dating night on Nov. 16.

Daegu’s Time to Date is part of events to raise money to fund its activities, giving three minutes each with potential matches. 

The group works with local government offices and other city contacts to provide volunteer services, including teaching English, sports days and days out for the children.

The nonprofit was started by English teachers in Daegu, who ran a Give A Gift appeal in 2011, to provide disadvantaged kids in the city with Christmas presents.

Natalie O’Sullivan, a spokesperson for the nonprofit, said that the group held its first speed date fund-raiser in spring 2012, with proceeds going toward school supplies and English books for children’s centers. Since then the events have run twice a year, with spring events helping to buy school supplies and winter sessions raising money for the Give A Gift appeal.

She said that the event was as much about helping expats meet each other as it was about romance.

“I know that there have been people matched up at each event, but unfortunately we haven’t had a wedding yet,” said O’Sullivan. “The basis of the night is that it’s a great and novel way for people of Daegu to meet each other, if some of them find love that’s just the icing on the cake!”

Time to Date runs at MF Bar in downtown Daegu from 7 p.m. Tickets are 10,000 won, and reservations can be made via daegustimetogive@gmail.com. The number of participants is limited to 50.

(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)