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HOLIDAY GIVING CAMPAIGN AWARDS OVER $195,000 IN DONATIONS TO LOCAL & GLOBAL NONPROFITS THROUGH GIVING MACHINES NASHVILLE

HOLIDAY GIVING CAMPAIGN AWARDS OVER $195,000 IN DONATIONS TO LOCAL & GLOBAL NONPROFITS THROUGH GIVING MACHINES NASHVILLE

Over $5.8 million raised worldwide at Giving Machines for charities amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

NASHVILLE, TN –  Many families in Middle Tennessee and across the world will benefit from roughly 71,000 “gifts”, amounting to over $195,000 donated at Giving Machines Nashville from November to December 2021.

Over 16,900 visitors flocked to Giving Machines Nashville and purchased gifts such as peanut butter, adaptive sports lessons, winter coats, chickens and bunk beds, for children, families, new immigrants and refugees across Middle Tennessee. Over 3,700 transactions were made to local and global nonprofits including:

ABLE Youth: 

Amount Donated: $14,195

921 youth in wheelchairs will receive items and activities to strengthen their independence and experience the joy life brings: 531 youth will receive a day of adaptive sports; 89 youth will receive a weekend at Independence Camp; 43 youth will participate in a track and field meet; 124 youth will receive two sessions of rock climbing; and 134 youth will have their wheelchair basketball fees covered.

Elmahaba Center:

Amount Donated: $20,825

1,537 Arabic-speaking Nashville immigrants will receive vital assistance as they transition to an unfamiliar place: 170 students will receive a school backpack and art supplies; 665 children will receive a book; 243 new mothers will receive a mother and baby kit; 139 persons will receive personal care items; and 320 children will receive a snack pack.

Nashville International Center for Empowerment:

Amount Donated: $23,025

158 refugees and immigrants will enjoy the gifts from others to help them as they resettle: 27 families will receive a child car seat; 187 individuals and families will receive a book on U.S. citizenship; 156 individuals will receive ESL books; 241 students will have helpful school supplies; and 265 children and others will have a winter coat.

One Generation Away:

Amount Donated: $36,356

Hundreds of middle Tennessee persons who are unable to provide adequate meals for themselves and their families will soon have access to life-sustaining food: 538 families will be fed for a week; 3,100 jars of peanut butter and 1,376 boxes of mac & cheese will be made available to those in need; 226 families will receive a full holiday meal; and 179 children will receive a take-home snack.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace:

Amount Donated: $33,765

Hundreds of Tennessee children who are currently without a beds or bedding will soon have their lives changed: Materials to build bunk beds, including the lumber, were generously provided by 179 Giving Machine donors; 357 children will soon have sheets and blankets; 32 new bunk beds and 70 mattresses will finally provide some children with a comfortable place to sleep.

Giving Machines Nashville was part of a larger effort to Light the World over the holiday season. More than 300,000 people visited one of ten Giving Machines locations worldwide, purchasing cards representing items such as jars of peanut butter or even goats and chickens. The cards dropped to the bottom of the machine symbolizing the act of giving without receiving. Last year alone, Giving Machines accumulated over $5.8 million in donations that will provide transformative items such as medicines, essential clothing, fresh produce and more.

“Nashville’s first year of Giving Machines was an absolute success,” says Nashville Tennessee Stake President Brett Benson. “We saw many families visit the machines. We hope to make this an annual holiday tradition because it really teaches us about giving without receiving anything in return.”

Light the World Giving Machines are sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which covered the machine and maintenance costs, credit card fees, and any administrative fees. This means charities are receiving 100% of donations made by visitors to the machines. Since 2015, Light the World Giving Machines have raised over $15 million for charity.

For more information about the nonprofits, items inside the machines, and media assets, please visit GivingMachinesNashville.org.

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