LOGAN – It was a red-letter-day for five nonprofits that received money from the Light the World Giving Machines on Friday.
Local representatives of Cache Valley’s “Light the World Giving Machine” handed out over $211,000 to five local charities Friday at the Cache County Courthouse.
“We collected over $345,000 in two weeks,” Light the World Committee Chairman Steve Miller said. “There were 10 people who pushed 777 which gave one dollar to every organization in the machine. That cost them $1,400 per person. None of those people wanted any recognition.”
Miller said the initiative is so successful the Church is going to have 25 more giving machines worldwide next year.
“That is a testament to the good people of Cache Valley,” said Jack Draxler from the Bear River Communication Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “They were pretty generous.”
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 an opportunity to participate in worldwide charity.
“The LDS church is trying to have the program be more of a community-based charity,” Miller said. “This year we had three other church congregations schedule time working with the public on the machines.”
Cache Community Food Pantry received a check for $44,985. This organization offers food to families that don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
Cache Valley Hope Cancer Foundation received a check for $36,995. This foundation emotionally and financially assists residents of Cache Valley who are battling cancer.
Loaves and Fishes received a check for $45,270. The Loaves & Fishes organization brings anyone in the community together around a common table to provide a meal twice a month.
Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection received a check for $39,811. This organization helps immigrants and refugees make Cache Valley their home.
Pregnancy Resource Center received a check for $44,480. The Pregnancy Resource Center provides education and support for women and couples facing unplanned pregnancies with professional medical care.
Two national organizations also received funds from the Giving Machines, UNICEF received over $62,000 and MENTOR received over $91,000.
Miller and his wife Joni spearheaded the effort with committee members Mike and Linda Stauffer along with Craig and Cindy Dunkley.
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 organizations had to meet to be selected for the machines.
Miller thanked the mayor and the City of Logan for their willingness to have the machines on Center Street.
Wayne Dymock, from the Bear River Communication Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said bringing the machines to Logan has a been an exciting thing.
James Clawson of Great Harvest Bread Co. should be recognized for letting the organization put the machines in front of his store and Logan City for the decorations and atmosphere.
The LDS Church did not charge any administrative fees, and everything that was given went to where the people wanted it to go.