December 2 through 14, 2023
On the corner of 8th Avenue and Main Street in Safford
In front of City Hall
The Giving Machine will launch at 6:00 PM on Saturday, December 2, 2023. There will be people available to help from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM each day the machine is here.
Light the World
Light the World is the annual Christmas initiative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the root of the initiative is an invitation for all to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be a light to others during the Christmas season. We are all invited to light the world by lifting and serving others in small and simple ways. One unique, fun, and memorable aspect of the Light the World initiative is the popular Giving Machines.
Overview of the Giving Machine
In 2017 the Giving Machine was born in response to a heartfelt question: “Can serving others be instant, fun, and memorable?” Legend has it that a man was pondering that question as he stood in front of a vending machine to purchase a snack. He had an epiphany: ‘What if we could build a vending machine to enable people to give to those in need?’
Since then, Light the World Giving Machines have appeared in cities across the globe, 55 cities actually, this year.
In the past few years, hundreds of thousands of people have donated 22 million US$ in goods and services to care for those in need—around the block or around the world. These customized vending machines allow the public to donate necessary products and services to those in need worldwide.
Giving Machine items have included food, clean water, medical care, clothing, education support, hygiene kits, and even livestock, such as chickens, goats, pigs, and beehives.
100 % of every donation is given to the participating nonprofit organizations to purchase and deliver the donated item. This happens because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all Giving Machine operating costs.
This year’s global charities include:
- African Girls Hope Foundation – empowering girls through education.
- American Red Cross
- Care – global hunger
- CWS Global emergency response fund
- iDE Global powering entrepreneurs to end poverty
- Lifting Hands International – aid for refugees
- Mentors International – Lifting generations from poverty to self-reliance and prosperity through mentoring, business and vocational training, and microfinance.
- UNICEF – for every child
State charities include:
- WaterAid – Support clean water for everyone, everywhere – not matter how rural or remote.
- Children’s Cancer Network
- Camp Tatiyee – an Arizona Special Needs Summer Camp
Local charities:
- Angel’s Closet
- SEACUS
- Gila Valley Boys and Girls Club
What is a Giving Machine?
Where does my money go?
How to Use a Giving Machine
Light The World Giving Machine Launch
A special program to launch the Giving Machines in the Gila Valley is scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 6:00 pm in front of Safford City Hall, Main Street and 8th Avenue. The event will include:
Prelude: Saguaro String Quartet – Franklin Alvarez Director
Welcome: Brad Montierth – Safford Stake President
Prayer/Conducting: The Very Reverend Devin Gillespie All Saints Episcopal
Introduction of Giving Machines and Invited Guests: Nona Herrington
Musical Number: Saguaro String Quartet
Speakers from each of the 3 local charities
- Stephanie Nabor – SEACUS
- Brittany Dean – Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley
- Jennifer Wenham or Billie Moreno – Angel’s Closet
Song: Gila Valley Children’s Chorale – Director Ethan McBride
“When We Seek Him” or “We All Can Light the World”
Speaker: Brad Montierth, Safford Stake President
Closing Song: Silent Night Children’s Choir joined by audience
Closing Prayer: Reverend Sherry Brady, FUMC, Ministerial Association
Ribbon Cutting: Tonya Gay Reed – Homeless person in our community.
First Donation made by Sue Ciancimino – Director of The Samaritan Home
