'Tis the Season to Light the World with Sydney Giving Machines

As Christmas approaches, Giving Machines are helping people #LightTheWorld through helping others. Sydney is the fourth Australian City with these unique “vending machines” that enable the user to give to a local or national charity to help others doing it tough this Christmas. 

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Former NRL Player, Will Hopoate, said, “I think we’ve all been given a lot in terms of blessings from God. There’s a wonderful Giving Machine here at Westpoint Shopping Centre. Feel free to come down and donate to a great cause to those in need.” 

Here, during this season of giving, Charity Partners Care Flight, Food Bank NSW, GIVIT, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, The Smith Family and UNICEF Australia have provided ways that you can be part of giving meals, educational assistance, vaccinations, and more. 

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Stephen Bali MP, Member for Blacktown acknowledges that there is only so much that government can do, “but at the same time, it’s charity that steps in and helps. This is people helping people.” 

Pacific Area Seventy Robert Simpson explained that we often give to family and friends and people we know at Christmas time, but we can do more by helping those outside our familiar circles.   

“Christmas is a wonderful time of year,” he remarked. “The whole concept of giving is associated with the birth of Christ. The Giving Machine is a wonderful way to really give to the community and help those in need. Let’s all give this Christmas.” 

Continuing with this thought Pacific Area President Peter Meurs recalled, “The Saviour Jesus Christ taught us that we can help people to have more hope by loving them and being kind to them.”   

Visitors to the Giving Machine are already sharing ways they feel blessed: 

Mary-May Peteru shared, “It’s that time of year where we can spread some Christmas cheer and love to others. . . Mark and I love this opportunity to teach our children that the Christmas spirit is more about giving rather than receiving.”  

Sam Sio realised, “Never been so appreciative of basic things in life such as free education, water and peanut butter before.” 

Matthew Parsons captured the spirit of the occasion, commenting, “What a wonderful way to donate to worthy causes who receive 100% of your donation. . . So many choices. . . I chose to buy 80 emergency peanut butter nutrient packs for malnourished children via UNICEF today. But I’ll be back to donate again.” 

President Russell M. Nelson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asks, “This Christmas season, will you let your light shine? Amid all the hustle and bustle of gifts and gatherings, will you let your life reflect the light and love of Jesus Christ?”