Have you ever bought a goat from a vending machine? How about warm clothing for a child, groceries for a family, or job training for the underemployed?

From November 25 through December 15, visitors at Darien Sport Shop can purchase essential items like these from a Light the World Giving Machine to help those in need here in Fairfield County or throughout the world.

This year, Giving Machines will appear in more than one hundred cities worldwide, providing a fun, unique, and memorable way to do an instant act of kindness for someone in need.The Giving Machine is part of the annual Light the World initiative, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church covers all operational expenses, enabling participating nonprofit organizations to receive one hundred percent of every donation.

The nonprofits featured in the Fairfield County Giving Machines are

• Catholic Charities of Fairfield County
• Person to Person
• Connecticut Humane Society
• Connecticut Food Share
• Family & Children’s Agency

Reflecting the importance of the effort, Mike Donoghue, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, stated, “It is truly heartbreaking how many children and families in our local communities are struggling with the rising cost of housing, food, and daily essentials. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ innovative Giving Machine program will make a direct impact on these families to provide sorely-needed items and provide hope and love during this Christmas season. We are blessed and honored to participate with our partners at the Church. Every gift -- no matter the amount -- will have direct impact as 100% of every donation will go directly to support families in need.”

Giving Machines first appeared in 2017, and more than US32 million has been contributed. With those funds, participating nonprofits have delivered hundreds of thousands of items worldwide.

A formal ribbon-cutting is planned for Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.  This celebration is being incorporated into the beloved and longstanding tree lighting and Santa visit hosted by Darien Sport Shop. 

Darien Sport Shop has been a staple of civic and community service for eight decades.  A landmark shopping destination for luxury apparel brands from all over the world, it is a family- run business that has made giving back to the community a priority. Gina Zangrillo, daughter of founder Stephen Zangrillo, and her staff have been amazing partners in this effort to bring Giving Machines to Connecticut. 

Darien Sport Shop, the five local charities, and the committee representing the Church are very excited about this initiative that promises to let all participants make a difference, lift burdens, and serve others.

Visit @dariensportshop and https://www.facebook.com/dariensportshop/ for a list of events happening at Darien Sport Shop Giving Machines.

To learn more about this global Initiative, visit GivingMachine.org.