This week, actress Song Hye Kyo made the news because of her volunteer work on behalf of a shelter for stray dogs, but its not the first time she has donated her time to help animals or people. It may just be the first time fans are hearing about her volunteer efforts because the actress has been very careful not to draw any attention to her work.

This is the third year she has taken care of stray animals at this particular shelter but she has worked for animal rights and cared for abandoned dogs for about a decade. In 2008, she volunteered to help care for the animals affected by an oil spill at a nearby beach. At the animal shelter, she will do whatever it takes, including cleaning up garbage.

While she loves all animals, her favorites are dogs. She has several dogs of her own and has been partial to dogs since she was a little girl.

The star of "That Winter The Wind Blows" has also found several innovative ways to help children and the disabled. While filming the drama and playing the role of Oh Young, the blind heiress, she became acutely aware of the challenges faced by the visually impaired.

When she learned that there were no Braille guidebooks available at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, she funded a project for the publication of 1,000 guidebooks.

"In local museums, not so many Braille brochures have been provided for the blind," said Song. "After I played a role of a blind woman, I realized how many difficulties they face in their daily lives. To help them, I decided to support in publishing Braille brochures.

Song Hye Kyo also had a special Celine handbag named for her and arranged to have a part of the proceeds donated to a worthy cause. When the first in the series of serial-numbered bags was auctioned off, the proceeds were sent to the "Save the Children" charity in her name.

On another occasion, she gave her time to the Doosan construction group, to help them build an elementary school in China. As a model for the campaign, "The Future Lies with Children," she donated her modeling fees to the school's construction. The fees were estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of won.

Song said, that since she received love and support from Chinese fans, this was her opportunity to "give something back."

"Children are the key to a brighter future," she said.

Her volunteer efforts are helping to make it a brighter future for many.