Teaching Giving 

Light the World Giving Machines offer teachable moments of service for kids while giving locally to those in need.

Kourtney Harrison says she and her husband are always looking for opportunities to teach their children the joys of giving to others — especially during the holiday season. 

Light the World Giving Machines have given them that opportunity. Last year, the Laguna Hills couple took their children — Charlie, 9, Benny, 6, and Marie, 4 — to the Giving Machine that was in Huntington Beach to teach them about the importance of giving back to the community. 

“On our drive to Huntington Beach we explained to the kids that a Giving Machine is just like an ordinary vending machine, except you can purchase items for others in need,” Harrison says. “We discussed the different organizations that would be represented in the machine and how important it is for organizations like CHOC hospital to receive support. We talked about how our oldest son, Charlie, was in the NICU at CHOC and how our second son, Benny, had had two surgeries at CHOC hospital. We tried to make it real for them and show them how these organizations help people every day just like them in our very own community.” 

She says their children were so excited to use the machines, they wanted to buy everything they saw in the machine — especially the items that had to do with animals like the service dogs at CHOC, squid dissection at the Ocean Institute and chickens that would go to a family across the world. 

Kristin Samuelian, Newport Beach-area communication director for The Giving Machines says the initiative “invites people everywhere to light the world by lifting and serving others in small and simple ways.”

Since 2016, these customized vending machines have allowed the public to donate essential products and services to those in need worldwide. Giving Machine items often include food, clean water, medical care, clothing and even livestock, such as chickens, goats, pigs and beehives.

The Giving Machines are in 106 cities and countries around the world, including Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Australia, Hawaii and Times Square in New York City, raising more than $32 million for global and local charities. The initiative now has 450 charity partners, with participating nonprofit organizations receiving 100 percent of the contributions with the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which covers all operating costs. 

At Orange County locations, visitors can donate items ranging from food, education assistance, hygiene kits and sporting goods to even chickens to help start small businesses. Pricing ranges from $5 to $150 depending on the item.

This year’s Southern California Giving Machine locations include Dana Point Harbor (Nov. 27-Dec. 30), the Huntington Beach Pier (Nov. 28-Dec. 15), OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa (Dec. 19-30) and Old Town, San Diego (Nov. 29-Jan. 1).

In Orange County, local charity partners include South County Outreach, CHOC Hospital, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Boys & Girls Club after-school programs and FarmHouse Rescue. 

“The Giving Machine makes it easy for families across Orange County to make a meaningful difference in their local communities,” Samuelian says. “Your simple gesture has a lasting impact.”

Jamie Pyatt, a licensed clinical social worker in Carlsbad, says there are many benefits for adults and children to give and engage in service.  

“Service teaches kids to think outside of themselves,” Pyatt says. “Service also shows kids how others handle hard situations and helps them see some of the struggles that exist in the world they live in. Service can help them increase a sense of gratitude for not only what they have but the opportunities they possess. Service can provide opportunities for kids to use their talents and develop empathy for others.”  

The Giving Machine also hosts family-friendly events that are open to the public, beginning with a celebration marking Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3. From 5-7 p.m. at Dana Point Harbor, visitors can enjoy live music by country singer Kyler Fisher of Fishfam. The evening will be hosted by retired NBC anchor Chuck Henry and In-N-Out Burger will offer meals to the first 300 donors starting at 5 p.m. A ribbon-cutting presentation with Santa begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Giving Machines will feature musical talent from the community every Monday night through Dec. 30, with special giveaway nights including Handel’s Ice Cream, Stance, Liberated Brands and Geometry Towels running throughout the month. 

Samuelian says she watched children interact with the Giving Machines last year and they “get so excited as they carefully look at all the items and thoughtfully consider how they want to make a difference.”

For more information about Giving Machines in Southern California, visit giveingmachinesocal.org.

By Jessica Peralta