December 2 through 14, 2024
On the corner of 8th Avenue and Main Street in Safford
In front of City Hall
The Giving Machine will launch at 5:00 PM on Monday, December 2, 2024. 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, more than 100 cities actually, this year.
In the past few years, hundreds of thousands of people have donated $33 million 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:
- Lifting Hands
- Catholic Relief Services
Regional and State charities include:
- Child Help
- Gathering Humanity
Local charities:
- Mt. Graham Safe House
- Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry
- Society of St. Vincent dePaul
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 Monday, December 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm in front of Safford City Hall, Main Street and 8th Avenue. The event will include:
Prelude: Saguaro String Quartet – Franklin Alvarez Director
Welcome: Jace Nelson, 2nd Counselor, Pima Stake Presidency
Prayer: Robert Cuencas, The Way World Outreach Church, Safford Az.
Musical Number: When We Seek Him by The Gila Valley Children’s Chorale, directed by Ethan McBride (57 Children from the Gila Valley)
Speakers from each of the 3 local charities
- Dick Spinning: Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry
- President Linda Lopez: St Vincent de Paul/ St Rose of Lima Conference Charity
- Brandy Burnett: Mt Graham Safe House
- State Charities: Gathering Humanity and Child Health
Special Musical Number: “He Is The Gift” duet by Allie Frost and Ethan McBride
Speaker: Elder Todd Haynie, Area Seventy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Closing Prayer: Father Nicodemus Shagel or Deacon Carl Vessels, St Rose of Lima Catholic Church
First Donation made by Sue Ciancimino – Director of The Samaritan Home
Learn more at GivingMachine.org
