Holiday Gift Checklist

Holiday Gift Checklist

Fun, yet dignified, Necktie for nephew … √

Best-selling fiction for book club friend … √

Toilet for … wait! … a toilet??? As a holiday gift? Who would give a toilet to someone?

“A toilet, is transformational. It is something that saves lives,” said WaterAid Director of Communications Emily Haile, during a recent Zoom interview. “A toilet is absolutely a game changer.” This unusual gift is just one of the many meaningful last-minute gifts available through the Giving Machines at Oakland Temple Hill 4780 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints),

WaterAid, a New York-based non-profit working to ensure that every person on earth has access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, offers five water-essential options, ranging in cost from $10 to $150. In addition to the toilet (a mere $70), one could gift hand soap for a school ($10), a rainwater storage tank ($20), a water pump ($50) or installation of a well ($150).

“Everyone understands how important water is,” said Haile. “And everyone has a water story,” she said. “Whether that story is from travel, health care, just washing your hands or having a baby, a gift of water hits home in different ways for different people.”

Other water-related gifts available in the Giving Machines in Oakland include one case of bottled water ($5) for the Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program (ECAP) or one Aquatic Therapy Session for a child at the George Mark Children’s House, a place that provides end-of-life care for children and their families. ECAP Director Bobby Miller explained “[t]here are over 100 different homeless encampments in the East Bay. So often people come by and just ask for a drink of water.” He said people don’t realize that many don’t have a place to get water to drink. The bottled water is one of ECAP’s 5 offerings targeted to help those struggling with the lack of housing or diminished financial resources.

“Aquatic Therapy is a magical gift,” said Linda Ashcraft Hudak, CEO of the George Mark Children’s House. The facility has a heated pool and trained aquatic therapists. Not only does the therapy allow a child to relax, they sleep better and get more rest, Hudak said. “There is something that is incredibly soothing about that therapy.”

If water or something water-related is not your idea of a holiday gift, you could follow the crowd and give the most popular gift for all Giving Machines … chickens—two hens and a rooster ($18) for a family abroad, courtesy of CWS Global. “The chickens have been unbelievably popular here and at all Giving Machines locations,” said Church of Jesus Christ, Area Communication Director, Jay Pimentel. “Giving chickens that produce eggs is an inspired and tasty way to help lift a family out of poverty and subsistence,” he said. CWS Global also offers one beehive ($60), one goat ($86), one pig ($100), or an acre of sweet potatoes ($140). The organization fights hunger and poverty in more than 140 countries worldwide while also providing relief from disasters and displacement.

Keeping your gift of food local and vital is easy. Miller said that ECAP, a 100% volunteer organization, feeds 300 families and individuals every day (except Sunday), 25 tons of food each week. “Of course we need help to survive,” he said, “we have expenses like buying gas for the truck that picks up the food we give out.” ECAP offers a gift of meals for 75 individuals ($300). It is also possible to feed the furry companion of someone experiencing homelessness with a gift of one month of pet food ($30). “Our gifts are tailored to the needs of our clientele,” Miller said.

Tri-Valley Haven, a refuge for those escaping domestic abuse, sexual assault or lack of housing, will feed a family of five for three days ($50). “Many people come to our shelter without food, without clothing,” Christine Dillman, Associate Director of Tri-Valley Haven said. “We provide everything for them so they can focus on healing and becoming self-sufficient,“ she said.

“The gifts will have a tremendous impact,” Hudak said about the gifts offered by the George Mark Children’s House. Families who turn to George Mark never receive a bill for any of their services, one of which is a meal for a family staying at their facilities ($20).

For those with vaccines on their mind … how about polio vaccines for 100 children ($22) or a portable vaccine carrier ($13) through UNICEF? Today, UNICEF, with its partners, vaccinates 45% of the world’s children under 5. Their efforts have resulted in a 99% decrease in the number of children paralyzed by polio since 1988. You may also protect a health care worker abroad ($62) through UNICEF or at the George Mark Children’s House ($40).

Many people enjoy giving clothing as Christmas gifts. The local Giving Machines allow one to give pajamas to a child ($10) through Tri-Valley Haven or winter clothing and a blanket ($70) to someone without a home through ECAP. “I love the choice the Giving Machines give you,” Dillman said. “People often arrive here with just the food on their backs. Giving a child a pair of pajamas that is theirs, that no one will take from them, tells that child that they matter, that they are important,” she said.

There are other gifts available at the Oakland Giving Machines, but you can easily find those with a visit to Oakland Temple Hill, 4780 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, 94602. You can’t miss these unique vending machines—they are big and red and loaded with love.

While at Temple Hill, you can enjoy the free Christmas lights and Concerts. The Giving Machines are available through January 3rd when their appearance will end with a celebratory, and free concert, by dance pop group, The Jets. (Tickets are required.)

100% of funds donated goes to the designated non-profit. The Church of Jesus Christ pays the credit card fees and all other expenses related to creating and operating the Giving Machines. Speaking on behalf of the Church, Elder Steven C. Merrell, Presiding Authority for the Greater Bay Area, said it was easy to see that there are immense needs in the area and appreciated that the Church could partner with such strong and effective non-profits. “We hope this will draw members of our community to Oakland Temple Hill and find the joy that comes from giving,” he said. The Lights, Concerts and Giving Machines are all part of the Church’s 2021 worldwide campaign to Light the World with Love.

Since their introduction by the Church in 2017, the Giving Machines have accounted for more than $9.1 million in donations for relief efforts throughout the world. Other Giving Machines cities this year include Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Nashville, Kansas City, New York, Gilbert, Arizona and Salt Lake City and Orem, Utah.