SAFFORD — Moments before the “official” first purchase, while Monday’s kick-off ceremony will still ongoing, Haley Rasmussen was at the west-facing Giving Machine, making the first charitable donations of the season.
She said she wanted to make a quick stop at the machines before heading out of town to meet with her cousin.
“I have so much, why not give some of it that I don’t need,” Rasmussen said, adding that she donated money for shoes for St. Vincent DePaul Society, money for undergarments for Mt. Graham Safe House, and money for chickens for Lifting Hands International.
The Light the World Giving Machines returned to the Gila Valley for the third year in a row Monday, starting a two-week stay at the corner of 8th Avenue and Main Street, in front of Safford City Hall. Giving Machines are an initiative started by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and supported by multiple faiths.
The machines function the same as any other vending machine; however, no item comes out of the machine rather the buyer chooses which local, state, national or international nonprofit will receive the funds. A card drops and donors are encouraged to take selfies of themselves making the donation.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Speakers at Monday’s kick-off event included EAC President Todd Haynie, and representatives of the three local nonprofits featured in the machines — St. Vincent DePaul Society, Mt. Graham Safe House and Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry — as well as a statewide charity that serves refugees.
“Right now, we are only able to do a limited amount with utilities and rent and that kind of thing. Maybe it will give us little more we can offer each time. A lot of people don’t come in until they’re getting evicted, and that’s almost too late for us,” said Linda Lopez with St. Vincent DePaul.
Songs were offered by the Gila Valley Children’s Chorale, and a duet by Ethan McBride and Alli Frost.
The ceremony ended with three wise men —McKay Frost, Rhett Dodge and Dustin Welker, all with the Thatcher Stake presidency — cutting the ribbon on the machines and making the first “official” purchases/donations.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
“Heck of a show. It really was great, sure was,” said Mark Harrington, city leader for Light the World Giving Machines. “The wise men, that was very moving.”
The Light the World Giving Machines will be in Safford from Dec. 2-15, open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Volunteers will be onsite to assist donors.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
