The holiday season is notorious for bringing out the goodness in communities across the country, invoking a desire to help those in need. Underneath the shiny red bows and wrapping paper commonly seen as a staple throughout the Christmas season, subtly lies the goodwill of humans. A prime example of this virtue is the Giving Machine movement opening across the country. The Giving Machines might seem like any ordinary vending machine, yet, these instruments offer rewards far different from the expected bag of goldfish traditionally dropped. Instead, the Giving Machines offer donors a variety of postcards displaying donations that can be purchased and sent to those in need. Such examples include a meal for a family, two chickens, installation of a well, and polio vaccines for 100 children, in addition to over twenty other options available for selection.

The concept of Giving Machines was introduced in 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah, but has expanded throughout the country to ten U.S. cities, accumulating over 8.5 million donations in 2018 and 2019. Although the Giving Machines were not open to the public in 2020 as a side effect of the pandemic, the movement will regain a presence in Manhattan on November 30th for 2021. The Giving Machine in Rockefeller Center signifies the final Giving Machine opened in the United States, thus calling for a meaningful celebration. Significant supporters of the movement plan to present speeches at the grand opening, wherein UNICEF, WaterAid, the UNHCR, CARE, and the Mariano Rivera Foundation will be present.

Through the excitement of the holiday season, it is miraculous to observe the goodness of humanity shine above all. By providing meaningful contributions to those in need and offering an efficient way to submit donations, the Giving Machine has revolutionized the meaning of spreading joy throughout the holiday season. All it takes is a simple swipe of a credit card to light up the world with kindness and generosity. This domino effect of positivity is apparent following the popularity of the trending tag, #lighttheworld, which has made headlines throughout Colorado following the debut of Giving Machines in Denver. As we approach a busy and exciting holiday season, be sure to consider how you could make a difference in the lives of others, and stop by the Giving Machine in Rockefeller Center!