The final donation amounts from a hugely successful Light the World Giving Machine season have been all counted, and on Thursday, February 20, representatives from LDS Charities presented checks to the four Utah Valley charities that participated in the first Orem Giving Machine location.
The combined amount donated to all six charities in Orem, including two international organizations, over the 54-day holiday period totaled $1,317,017. Of that total, Community Action Services and Food Bank received $241,500 from a total of 12,771 donations. The Family Support and Treatment Center received $44,836, The Center for Women and Children in Crisis received $106,685, and the United Way of Utah County received $133,645.
Rather than have “guys in suits give checks to guys in suits,” Blake Boatright, director of the Utah County Communication Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, decided to have a gathering of children help present the money to the charities while also sharing their favorite moments of donating to the Giving Machines.
For more information about the success of the 2019 Giving Machines, including the top five most popular items, click here.