Oklahoma City is set to launch its holiday initiative, the Light the World Giving Machines, which allow individuals to purchase items for donation to those in need. From December 10 through January 1, residents and visitors will find these distinctive red vending machines stationed in Bricktown, promoting generosity during the festive season. Local organizers recently gathered for a luncheon to introduce the campaign and the nonprofit organizations that will benefit from it.
The Light the World Giving Machine initiative began in 2017 through the efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since its inception, the program has raised over $50 million across various countries, with all proceeds from each machine directed entirely to local and global charities. This year, the funds will support several local organizations, including the City Rescue Mission, Hearts for Hearing, the Cavett Kids Foundation, the Center for Children and Families, and the Care Center. On a global scale, the campaign will also benefit the Special Olympics and Lifting Hands International.
Tom Gray, a member of the Giving Machine team, emphasized the unique connection these machines create between givers and recipients. “It’s heart to heart,” he stated, highlighting the lasting impact the initiative can have on individuals’ lives. Each Giving Machine offers 30 options for contributions, with items ranging from a hearing aid fitting and a child’s bed frame to school kits for refugee children and athletic uniforms for the Special Olympics. Notably, one can even purchase chickens to aid families in vulnerable communities in becoming self-sufficient.
During the luncheon, representatives from the beneficiary organizations shared insights about their missions and how the funds raised through the Giving Machines will be allocated. The previous year’s campaign in Oklahoma City was notably successful, resulting in 3,500 donated items. This included 7,470 meals provided to a food bank, 784 packs of baby wipes, 230 sets of socks and underwear for homeless teens, and 226 safe nights for mothers in need, among other significant contributions.
Erin Engelke, CEO of Remerge, noted the profound impact the Giving Machines had on the lives of the 75 to 100 mothers her organization serves annually. She expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, “Just know if you are a part of this in any form or fashion as a beneficiary or a donor or a volunteer, that you’re making a profound difference, not just to those who are in the nonprofit community, but to the community as a whole.”
For those interested in participating or learning more about the Light the World Giving Machines, further information can be found at www.givingmachineokc.org. This holiday season, the initiative invites the community to come together and make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in need.
