Ducks NFL star, Olympians, mayor-elect launch the giving season at Valley River Center

You can buy a goat, two chickens, polio shots, or meals for 100 from a vending machine in Valley River Center.

After you pay for your selection, however, the Light the World Giving Machine doesn’t drop its items into your hands. Those much-needed items are donated to those in need, whether they live around the world or down the street.

The Giving Machine officially opened Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by standout Oregon Ducks athletes and other luminaries. The vending machine, near Kay Jewelers, is available through Dec. 15.

Eugene Mayor-elect Kaarin Knudson, Oregon’s 1999 NCAA Woman of the Year, member of the 1997 PAC-10 Championship cross-country team, and All-American runner in the 800m and mile, spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at the event.

Randall Brown, the regional leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here in Oregon, shared his own family’s experience with the Giving Machine.

“I have some kids at home and last year we had big machines up in Washington Square up in the Tigard area,” he said. “And as I took my sons to participate, it definitely changed their perspective. They thought a little bit less about, ‘What am I going to get for Christmas?’ and they thought more about, ‘What can I give, what can I offer?’ And it’s a really neat opportunity for the community to participate in this way.”

Five local and two international nonprofits will benefit from the Giving Machine. Those attending the grand opening included Sarah Reither, Food for Lane County; Lorri Perreault, Catholic Community Services; Teresa Standstipher, CASA; Alyssa Gilbert, ShelterCare; Mike Fleck, Community Sharing Program; and Rachel Anderson, Lifting Hands International. UNICEF also benefits from the program.

The first purchases of the 2024 holiday season were made by former Ducks and NFL running back and kick returner Dino Philyaw; and two Ducks who competed in the 2024 Olympics. Jaida Ross, 2024 NCAA champion in the women’s shot put, placed fourth in Paris, and Klaudia Kazimierska recorded a personal best in the finals of the women’s 1500m.

Dino Philyaw, of the Ducks’ 1994 PAC-10 championship team, returned to Eugene after retiring from the NFL. He is owner of Philyaw’s Cookout, bringing authentic Carolina barbecue to the Northwest.

The annual Light the World Giving Machine Initiative is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which covers all operational expenses. This means 100% of every donation is given to the participating nonprofit to purchase and deliver the selected item.

In the time it takes to swipe a credit card, anyone can donate much-needed items, such as clothing, food, hygiene products, school supplies, and even livestock (goats, pigs, chickens) for those in need.

For more information about The Giving Machine, visit GivingMachine.org.

Photos (clockwise from center left): Dino Philyaw makes the first selection of the 2024 holiday season; Rachel Smith Anderson chats with Mayor-Elect Kaarin Knudson; Ducks standout student-athletes Klaudia Kazimierska, Kaarin Knudson, and Jaida Ross; and the Small Ensemble from the Eugene Springfield Youth Orchestra.