The Seoul International Women’s Association honored key participants in its 2015 charity bazaar at a morning coffee social at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul on Wednesday.

The bazaar was held in partnership with local firms, members of the diplomatic community and other groups. Last year, it raised 81 million ($65,700) won for SIWA’s welfare fund, which helps charities in Korea.

The association awarded the Israeli Embassy first prize for its participation, followed by the Japanese Embassy and the embassies of Australia and New Zealand and the Australia and New Zealand Association.

While quick to credit the Israeli consul’s wife Yael Ben Shoshan with leading the participation, Avigail Gutman, wife of Israeli Ambassador Uri Gutman, said she felt humbled “not just to get first place, but also to be next to Australia and Japan, which are Korean trade giants, and we are a very small country.”

Later at the event, Gina and John Walker introduced their moonbears.org campaign to end bear farming in Korea and set up sanctuaries for the animals. Other charity activities were also held, including a raffle and a sale of bags made by the Rainbow Community, a group for people with mental disabilities, using sewing machines donated by SIWA and banners used during the bazaar.

The SIWA charity fund is run by a committee and helps elderly and disabled people, homeless people, medical groups and particularly women and children’s organizations.

Recent beneficiaries include the Columban Day Center for Persons with Disabilities and Hae Mill School for multicultural families. For more information, visit siwapage.com.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)