The opening ceremonies for the Christmas Giving Machines hope to spread a spirit of generosity to all and love to those in need.
Pearlridge Center and Windward Mall were the recipients of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's annual Christmas Giving Machines program and an opening ceremonies were held for them on Nov. 18. The opening ceremony included dance, songs and speeches from the organizations actively involved this year in the Giving Machines program.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green came with his family and said the event was made possible by his wife who is a member of the Church. He said, “We love to be a part of this Giving Machines [effort]. We always felt honored to participate with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, [and see] what they do to give back to all of the people in need.”
Six of the nine organizations that participated in the ceremonies were local to Hawaii. Those organizations are Aloha Harvest, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hui Mahi'ai 'Āina, Project Vision Hawaii and U.S. VETS.
Reflecting on the recent devastation in Maui, Green talked about the importance of sharing, and said, “I want to see that there is a giving desire in the people of Hawaii, not just during the holidays, but all the time.”
The Polynesian Cultural Center also had a Giving Machines ceremony on Nov. 20. At PCC Hukilau Marketplace, Parewhakaarahia Mahoni, an assistant manager at the PCC’s Marketplace, explained there are six rows in each machine with different service opportunities. The top five rows contain services that will go towards people in Hawaii, she said, especially to those in Maui who have been affected by the fires. The bottom row are global services that help people around the world who are in need.
Elder Voi R. Taeoalii, a member of the Area Seventy, expressed his excitement as he witnessed the collaboration effort between the Church and the local non-profit organizations. Be-Jay Kodama, the vice president of Catholic Charities Hawaii, said it mean a lot to their organization that The Church chose to work with them again.
Taeoalii clarified that 100 percent of the donations given to the machines goes to the organization that needs help. “Our main purpose is just to bless people’s lives,” he said, “especially those who are struggling.”
Nephi Roda, an attendee at the PCC opening and a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management, said, “I’ve always had this mindset that when I have money, I just want to help someone. Even though I am not that rich, I can serve them.”
Reuben Kelii, a Kapolei community member, expressed a similar sentiment at the Pearlridge ceremony. He said when people think about how they could be the person in need, then they naturally want to help others. "Not everybody can do a whole bunch of things to help," Kellii said, but the Giving Machines is a simple way to reach out and directly help others.