The Humphreys United Club hosted its annual live and silent fundraising auction on April 25, 2026, at the Morning Calm Center on Camp Humphreys, South Korea. (Julie Masson/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — A philanthropic club at this U.S. Army base raised over $13,000 last month for scholarships and community programs in South Korea at its annual fundraiser, more than doubling last year’s total.
The Humphreys United Club hosted its annual live and silent auction on April 25, raising at least $13,158.73 as of Wednesday, a sharp increase from last year’s roughly $5,000, according to the club’s fundraising chair Joanna Calahan.
The nonprofit serves the military community in Pyeongtaek and surrounding areas and operates the Camp Humphreys Thrift Store. Auction proceeds will be donated to the local community through grants, merit-based scholarships and Korean welfare initiatives, Calahan said April 25 at the event.
She attributes the fundraising success to the club’s effort this past year to strengthen ties within the community through outreach, volunteer efforts and relationships with local businesses. As a result, the club saw an increase in sponsors and donors over the last year, Calahan explained.
The fundraiser also featured more auction items, with several highly competitive bids boosting overall proceeds, she added.
A Korean traditional drum hand-painted by local artist Lee Man-jae at the Humphreys United Club's annual fundraising auction on April 25, 2026, at the Morning Calm Center on Camp Humphreys, South Korea. (K.C. Yate)
The event’s top auctioned item was a traditional Korean drum hand-painted live by local artist Lee Man-jae, which sold for $475.
Other top earners included a two-night suite stay at the Dragon Hill Lodge paired with weekend prime rib buffet tickets, a three-night standard stay at Dragon Hill Lodge and two round-trip flight tickets to Jeju Island.
Club member Kymber Borth, a military spouse and mother of five, on Monday by email said she hopes funds raised through the event “will continue to make a positive impact and help meet the needs of both the on-post and off-post communities.”
“Additionally, being half Korean, I feel a personal connection to the outreach efforts that extend beyond the installation and into the local community,” she added.
Laura Rivera Bowers, another member, said the organization plays an important role in fostering community support, particularly by supporting students through its scholarship program.
“As a former financial aid adviser, I understand that every little bit helps when it comes to higher education,” she said by email Monday.
Soldiers at Humphreys, along with their families and the Korean community, form the core of a shared community, club member Karine Howell said by email Monday. Supporting them helps strengthen connections and overall well-being for everyone who calls it home, she said.
The club is collecting rice donations through May 31 in partnership with the Pyeongtaek Eastern Welfare Association to support low-income seniors. Donations can be dropped off at the Camp Humphreys thrift store.
