The generosity of Korean-American entrepreneurs has shined through the holidays. Korean nail

The generosity of Korean-American entrepreneurs has shined through the holidays.

Korean nail professionals donated their services to the elderly, and church members assembled baskets of fruit to show appreciation to police officers, firemen and the elderly.

But it didn’t end there. Just before New Year’s Eve, members of the Korean American Beautician Federation gave free hair cuts to residents of Corona Senior Center of the Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York in Queens.

Seven hair stylists carefully trimmed each person, who was eagerly waiting for a new look to welcome Year 2012.

“I came here one hour early this morning,” said Sichan Han, 80, who just got a haircut. “I feel so good since I can ring in the New Year fresh with the nice haircut.”

Most of the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the generosity shown at the height of the economic slowdown.

“I feel so grateful for their free service,” said Jongsuh Lee, 80. “It is not really easy, you know, especially when the economy is still bad.”

Korean American trade associations have traditionally added warmth to the Korean American community by sharing what they have in goods and services during the holiday season.

Despite the recession, they practiced their neighborly love for the holidays through volunteer activities or donations of money or goods.

“Some hair salons even pay for the volunteer hours of their employees to promote the volunteer work,” said MoonJa Lee, president of the association, who provides free haircut services, on her own, at senior centers or churches every Tuesday.

“Since the New Year is just around the corner, I wanted to give them a real good look, wishing them a good start of the New Year,” Lee said.

The Korean American Nail Salon Association pampered around 30 elderly Korean Americans in its annual Beauty Day at the Queens Boulevard Extended Day Care Center in Woodside, Queens on Dec. 14.

The volunteers wore Santa hats and gave the senior citizens manicures and shoulder massages.

“It is so good to see them happy,” said Eunhye Lee, head of the nail association. “They all look rejuvenated with the colorful manicures.”

Some associations raised funds to help centers for the homeless or for women in need. Food-related trade associations even donated foods to community organizations for their year-end parties.

“We offer community organizations including senior centers fruits or bottled water for free for their events,” said Chongsik Lee, president of Korean American Grocers Association of New York. “It’s not a lot, but I think it is the social responsibility of the ones who have resources.”

http://voicesofny.org/2012/01/korean-american-businesses-share-the-love