The unmistakable red Giving Machines have become a popular part of Light the World, a global effort hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to share love and joy during the Christmas season. In its fourth year, Light the World: One by One hosted 10 Giving Machines around the world in 2020.
In a news release this weekend, it was announced nearly 159,000 items have been purchased by the public. The Giving Machines allow anyone to purchase much-needed goods for local and global charities. To date, nearly $3.9 million has been generated for charitable organizations, with donors swiping cards more than 100,000 times.
Items purchased have included nearly 63,000 chickens, about 1.6 million meals, nearly 955,000 vaccines, more than 3,500 pairs of shoes and more than 7,200 pairs of glasses.
There is still time to donate to a Giving Machine. They are located in Gilbert, Arizona; San Jose, California; Denver, Colorado; Laie (Oahu), Hawaii; Las Vegas, Nevada; New York City; and Orem and Salt Lake City, Utah. Worldwide, machines have been placed in London, England, and Manila, Philippines.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
