News Release

Brisbane Rings in Second Year of Its Christmas ‘Giving Machine’  

Brisbane GM
Brisbane GM
Leaders and Charity Partners participate in ribbon cutting ceremony for Brisbane Giving Machines© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

As the first Southern Hemisphere city to launch #LightTheWorld “Giving Machines” in 2022, Brisbane again welcomed December with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the second annual event at Logan’s Hyperdome Shopping Centre.  

Carols ringing from young adult voices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought in onlookers who stopped to listen and asked what this was about.  

Brisbane GM
Brisbane GM
Young Single Adult Choir organised by Etenity Fa'agase, Stake YSA representative for Logan Australia Stake© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Elder Jeremy Jaggi of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained, “Because we have faith in God, that He is a part of who we are, we believe in giving to one another.”  

Brisbane GM
Brisbane GM
The charity representatives gather with Elder and Sister Jaggi and President Mark Gibson to meet the PTSD dog in training (one of the cards in the machine for Community Involvement Solutions charity)© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Also present from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were Elder Wayne Maurer, Area Seventy; and Carl Maurer, a humanitarian specialist.  

100% of donations will go to participating local and national charities: GIVIT, BlazeAid, Community Involvement Solutions (CIS), Children’s Hospital Foundation, Rosies – Friends On The Street, and Angel Flight Australia.  

See the video here.  

Selina Rowe, of CIS, expressed deep gratitude for her charity’s second year of partnering with the Brisbane Giving Machine committee. “Being part of this incredible project and collaborating with phenomenal individuals has been an honour. Showcasing causes dear to our hearts, often overlooked, is truly priceless. We joyfully embrace our involvement in the Giving Machine and feel blessed, along with fellow charity partners, to be part of this supportive community. “  

Charmaine Wheatley, of Blaze Aid, concurred, “We are so happy to be involved and love what this charity does. People really want to give and know they can make a difference.”  

Brisbane GM
Brisbane GM
Charmaine Wheatley, Blaze Aid charity representative, is assisted by Kristie Gibson in using the Giving Machine for the first time© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Brisbane Giving Machine Committee spokesperson, Mark Gibson, also welcomed Councillors Mindy Russell and Jon Raven from the Logan City Council.  

Cr Jon Raven said, “People of faith go above and beyond. Without you there is more suffering, without you more people miss out. This opportunity means less time taken in fundraising and more time for helping people.”  

For more information, see here.  

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.