We Interrupt Your Normal Broadcast Program for This Special Announcement:
Confession: I’ve been having a hard time being excited about Christmas this year. I am so busy with work that I haven’t had time to even do my own Christmas card! I have only halfway decorated the house, & we’ve been too busy to even get a tree.
But then, a few days ago, I got a phone call. I was asked to do a media shoot for LDS Charities! The following photos are not what I usually take (weddings/couples/babies), but I jumped at the chance to donate my time as a photographer to a good cause.
Elaine Wynn and several heads of local Las Vegas Charities gathered to help promote a Giving Machine located in Downtown Summerlin. She was interviewed by Channel 8 News.
What is a Giving Machine?
Here is the description from ComeUntoChrist.org :
“Imagine swiping your credit card at a vending machine—but instead of buying a candy bar for yourself, you’re buying a sheep for a family in a third-world country. Or a polio vaccine. Or a pair of shoes. Or 100 meals for your local food bank. With the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, that’s exactly what happens. The Giving Machines provide a way for people to quickly and easily help those in need and make the Christmas season a little more meaningful for themselves—and countless others.”
I went down the night before to check out the light and location with my mom. We had a great time visiting with the volunteers and an even better time picking out what we wanted to donate! The next night I came back with my oldest daughter and all my camera gear. We got to visit with new volunteers and chose more donations! Then, I got down to business… It was wonderful to be able to document these generous, charitable individuals and local representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints working together to help others in need in our community and in the world!
Serving others makes you happy. Giving to others makes you happy. I think I just found my Christmas Spirit…
Link to Elaine Wynn’s interview with Channel 8 News:
Link to more info on Giving Machines:
https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world/giving-machines
December 13, 2019
So proud of you, my sweet friend. These ooze with desire to bless others lives. My favorite: the one with the gal in the green jacket. Wishing for us all peace as we decorate our season with the people we love.
Wow Andrea what a great opportunity. I actually went with Debbie to the giving machine while I was in Vegas. And I’ve seen several here in Utah. What a great idea to help us more freely give
And what a great compliment to you for them to ask you to shoot pictures.
You are the BEST!
Giving to others makes the season bright. Lighten your Christmas with the swipe of a card. Amazing!
Andrea, what a wonderful blog post! Meeting you was an answer to my prayers! And the CEOs of the charity organizations are so appreciative of your beautiful photographs. Thank you, thank you for being who you are and so willing to give. You ARE the Christmas spirit.
And folks can also visit GivingMachinesLasVegas.com or our Giving Machines Las Vegas Facebook page for more information!
Merry Christmas!
Your photos really capture the spirit of the Giving Machine. It truly does give us the true spirit of Christmas to give very meaningful gifts to those less fortunate. I love that there are such a good variety of choices. Thank you for your dedication to giving such an enlightening perspective of “giving”to honor the birth of Jesus Christ.