REXBURG—It took just 14 days for people living in the Rexburg area to donate $625,270 to local and international charities.
During those two weeks in December, people lined up to donate at the Light the World Giving Machines in Hemming Village. The Giving Machine Rexburg Area Committee says there were 6,000 unique card swipes representing an estimated 28,000 people. There were also more than 1,000 volunteers.
People donated meals (more than 23,000), shoes (1,331 pairs), diapers (more than 66,000), rides, toys, soccer balls (3,792 balls), even goats (1,041 to be exact).
"Honestly, I don't think any of the charities, no one on the Giving Machine Committee, I don't think anyone involved in this project expected such an outpouring by our community — not that we didn't think they were generous — but it's just, it's amazing how much we were able to raise for supporting those who are less fortunate in our community," said Brett Crandall, the Giving Machine lead for the Rexburg Area Giving Machine Committee.
Crandall says The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which sponsors the machines, said the Giving Machines will return to Rexburg during the Christmas season.
The impact to the five local charities accounted for $396,000 of the total donations. The Idaho Falls Rescue Mission received $67,390, the Idaho Falls Area Humanitarian Center received $67,825, the Family Crisis Center received $106,670, Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership received $88.630 and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho received $65,985.
Nancee Bakken, the executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho, said they anticipated maybe $5,000 - $6,000.
“So, when we saw the email come through, we literally thought there was a comma in the wrong spot,” Bakken said. “And then it sunk in and we were just in awe of the giving, generosity and just overall attitude from the community to support our mission, our work and the families that we serve."
Bakken said the money will help families who have a child in the hospital not have to worry about warm meals or where to stay with their families.
Chris Aspinall, the director of development for the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, said their donations will buy nearly a full month of operations.
"It's life-changing, actually, it's just amazing to see how many people came out and supported the Giving Machines and I think when we got involved, we had no anticipation it was going to be this big," he said.
The Giving Machines also spent time in Pocatello and Idaho Falls. The donations for those areas will be revealed this week.