LOGAN – Local representatives of Cache Valley’s “Light the World Giving Machine” handed out over $275,000 to five local charities Thursday at the Cache County Courthouse.
The Light the World Giving Machines are an initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offering people from all faiths, civic groups and communities to participate in world-wide charity.
Cache Employment and Training Center received a check for $41,910.
Cache Valley Hope Cancer Foundation received a check for $73,695.
Common Ground received a check for $46,185.
English Training Center received a check for $60,260.
Neighborhood Non-Profit Housing received a check for $54,689.
Steve Miller and his wife Joni Spear headed the effort with committee members Mike and Linda Stauffer with Craig and Cindy Dunkley.
Wayne Dymock, the Bear River Communication Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said bringing the machines to Logan was a really exciting thing.
Last year there were only two machines in Utah, there was one in Salt Lake and the other in Orem.
“This year they expanded into St. George, Ogden and Logan,” Dymock said. “This was quite a journey.“
Dymock said they got the call the Giving Machines were coming to Logan mid-year and immediately thought Steve Miller and his wife Joni would be a perfect couple to lead the effort.
“There are easier ways to raise money,” he said. “But it was all about the experience. It was good to see families coming to give during Christmas.”
Miller said it was a whopping success and the non-profit organizations chosen had to jump through a lot of hoops to be a part of the effort. There were a lot of requirements the organization had to meet to be selected for the machines.
“For instance, they had to have their 501-3c’s in place and their administrative cost had to be less than 20 percent,” he said. “There were 64 nonprofits that applied and the committee narrowed it down to five.”
Miler thanked the mayor and the city of Logan for their willingness to have the machines on Center Street.
There were 16,000 transactions and 250 volunteers to man the machines and help people use them.
“We are blessed to live in a community with so many caring people,” Miller said. “There was one young lady being pushed in a wheelchair by her father who wanted to by a chicken for someone. It was impressive to see all the families that came to give.”
Chickens were the most popular purchase. Miller said the Giving Machine participants bought some 68,000 chickens in the two weeks the machine was in Logan.
“We want to thank James Clawson of Great Harvest Bread Co. for letting us put the machines in front of his store and Logan City for the decorations and atmosphere,” Miller said. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not charge any administrative fees and it was a lot of work. Everything that was given went to where the people wanted it to go.”
It was announced Giving Machines will be back next year, but they didn’t have the dates yet.