I had the chance to volunteer at the Giving Machine in San Antonio this past week. It was only for a two-hour slot, and it was in the morning, while it was still slow, but I was so thankful to learn about The Giving Machine, San Antonio, and the organization the machine is supporting in the area.

Next week we will be sharing the information about The Giving Machine that will be opening right here in the Valley, at the McAllen Food Park. I am excited to see what organizations the machine will have items for.

In the San Antonio machine, you can donate as little as $1 for seven meals for the San Antonio Food Bank, $35 for diapers for the local homeless shelter, or even $115 for a goat for a worldwide service organization.

There are so many organizations in the Valley that we can donate to, so it will be nice to see who gets sponsored through the machine this year.

This machine is like a vending machine, but you get to give something to someone in need. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the organization you choose to support. The machines are placed around the world for visitors to give a little bit to their communities.

It was fun to see the families that came up to the machine. The parents explained what each card was, reading off the cards, talking about the organization the donation would be going to. One mother let each of her three kids pick something from the machine. She lifted the two younger kids up so they could make their selections on the keypad. Then we had the chance to take pictures of the family, holding cards that represented what they donated, with smiles on their faces.

It was a delight seeing them doing this together.

We were there to provide answers to questions, direct them on how to use the machine if needed. But we gave no directions in who they should choose to give to. One lady, a veteran, chose to give a Troop Care Package to a military organization, while another, a Rotary Club member, chose to give back to her organization.

While we celebrate the holidays, there are many of us that can’t give much, but I will ask you to remember those around you. You don’t have to give money, a present, or even a meal if you can’t – but at least say hello, greet someone with a smile, ask someone how they are doing. As a good friend of ours always says, share a smile, it doesn’t cost anything, and it spreads.