Giving Machines Arrive on Temple Hill

OAKLAND CA, NOV 01, 2021, 09:00 PT

For several generations on Temple Hill, it has been a tradition to celebrate the opening of the Christmas season at the most appropriate time — Thanksgiving weekend — a time to give thanks and to look toward celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Marking the event has been celebrated with children's concerts, community Messiah sing-alongs, inspiring dance performances, and all expressions of love and thanksgiving. 

While Temple Hill has hosted these presentations as a gift to the community, it has become apparent that Temple Hill has been the recipient of blessings and friendships from its local community as well as travelers from afar. We continue to open our arms in welcome and love to all. 

This year is very exciting. As we cautiously emerge from tumultuous times, we are blessed with a fun but meaningful device that can help people with all sorts of needs. Imagine swiping your credit card at a vending machine — but instead of buying a candy bar for yourself, you’re buying a water storage tank 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. These machines show you how your donation, no matter how small, can be used.

100% of these donations are distributed to charity partners like CARE.org, UNICEF, WaterAid, Water for People, and more. In 2018, the Giving Machines raised over $2.3 million with the help of over 92,000 people.

This season, Giving Machines will be placed in the following ten US cities: 

Denver CO, Gilbert AZ, Honolulu HI, Kansas City MO, Las Vegas NV, Nashville TN, Orem UT, Salt Lake City UT, New York City NY, and Oakland CA. Oakland is privileged to be selected as one of the ten locations — the only in California.

Thanksgiving weekend marks the spot. Saturday, November 27, Scrooge! The Musical opens right after lunch at 1:30, and the Days of Christmas begin. We will gather to celebrate a new season of hope and community. Neighbors, friends and family are all invited to hear joyful music, officially light the Hill and strike up the Giving Machines. Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen serves as Master of Ceremonies. Guests include CRANDL Chamber Group, several Bay Area notables and Oakland City Council Woman Sheng Thao to assist with ribbon cutting. 

Oh, and by the way, those Christmas lights illuminating the Hill are worth the trip here, alone. See how they underscore joy, belief and inspiration.

The very popular Giving Machines will be featured on Temple Hill this Christmas season, November 27 - January 3. They will be located outside, in the plaza at the front of the auditorium. Please join the celebration on Saturday, November 27 in the chapel. Music begins at 4PM and the event kicks off at 5PM. Come be a part of something great.