November 30, 2025 • 30 mins
Segment 1: Candlelighters and Survivors Motorcycle Club
.
Candlelighters of El Paso helps children and their families who have been affected by cancer. They help financially, emotionaly, and give support in many ways, especially around the holidays.
.
Amber Banda interviews Melissa-Atkins-Wardy, CEO of Candlelighters El Paso, and Survivor's lady DeeDee on their upcoming 4th Annual Candlelighters Toy Run. The event will be Saturday December 13th and is open to all motorcycles and vehicles. Bring an unwrapped toy to 9300 Acer at 10:30am. the parade will start at 11:30 and go from 9300 Acer to 9031 Viscount, (the multi-purpose center) where the kids will be waitin to see all the bikes and vehicles! It truly is an amazing and heartwarming sight and you are invited to be a part of it!
.
They also talk about the new Candlelighters Program Center, how you can "adopt" a family for Thanksgiving online for just $40, their various programs, and much more.
.
For more information go to candlelighterselp.org
For more information on the toy run, call (915) 544-2222.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Segment 2: Light the World Giving Machine in El Paso
.
A real life donation vending machine for the holidays! Going on now through Dec 9 in front of the El Paso Community Foundation Room (at 333 N Oregon St). These machines work like a "regular" vending machine, but to help others this holiday season.
.
Amber Banda interviews Alaine Bracken, City Lead for the El Paso and Las Cruces Giving Machines, and Alma Maese, Communication Director for the El Paso and Las Cruces Giving Machines. They talk about how these machines work, how they help, how they came to be in El Paso, and more.
.
You choose, you pay, they get. You can choose to purchase various items such as grief bears, food, and coats for local and worldwide charities, including the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, Children's Grief Center, and more. Donate items worth $5 or $100! Every single bit helps and they are tax-deductible!
.
Find out more information visit lighttheworld.org or find them on instagram @givingmachineelpaso
NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! Follow Amber Banda, 96.3 KHEY Country, Power 102.1 or Sunny 99.9 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!
.
Candlelighters of El Paso helps children and their families who have been affected by cancer. They help financially, emotionaly, and give support in many ways, especially around the holidays.
.
Amber Banda interviews Melissa-Atkins-Wardy, CEO of Candlelighters El Paso, and Survivor's lady DeeDee on their upcoming 4th Annual Candlelighters Toy Run. The event will be Saturday December 13th and is open to all motorcycles and vehicles. Bring an unwrapped toy to 9300 Acer at 10:30am. the parade will start at 11:30 and go from 9300 Acer to 9031 Viscount, (the multi-purpose center) where the kids will be waitin to see all the bikes and vehicles! It truly is an amazing and heartwarming sight and you are invited to be a part of it!
.
They also talk about the new Candlelighters Program Center, how you can "adopt" a family for Thanksgiving online for just $40, their various programs, and much more.
.
For more information go to candlelighterselp.org
For more information on the toy run, call (915) 544-2222.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Segment 2: Light the World Giving Machine in El Paso
.
A real life donation vending machine for the holidays! Going on now through Dec 9 in front of the El Paso Community Foundation Room (at 333 N Oregon St). These machines work like a "regular" vending machine, but to help others this holiday season.
.
Amber Banda interviews Alaine Bracken, City Lead for the El Paso and Las Cruces Giving Machines, and Alma Maese, Communication Director for the El Paso and Las Cruces Giving Machines. They talk about how these machines work, how they help, how they came to be in El Paso, and more.
.
You choose, you pay, they get. You can choose to purchase various items such as grief bears, food, and coats for local and worldwide charities, including the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, Children's Grief Center, and more. Donate items worth $5 or $100! Every single bit helps and they are tax-deductible!
.
Find out more information visit lighttheworld.org or find them on instagram @givingmachineelpaso
NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! Follow Amber Banda, 96.3 KHEY Country, Power 102.1 or Sunny 99.9 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I'm your host,
Amber Banda, and today we have Melissa Atkins Wardi, the
CEO of Candle Lighters of alpa of the al Paso Area. Melissa,
thank you for talking with us today. Thank you for
having me definitely. And we also have Survivors Lady Dede
of Survivors MC al Paso Chapter. Dede, thank you for
(00:43):
talking with us today again, thanks for having me again.
Of course, so Candle Lighters and Survivors MC. In a
little bit we're going to get into the event that
Survivor's MC is having for candle Lighters. But first, I
know most of the listening audience, I know most of
you have heard of Candle Lighters of the Alpaso area.
But Melissa can you tell the listing audience a little
bit more about Candle Lighters, who they serve, and what
(01:06):
programs you offer.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Absolutely, so, Candlelighters serves children and their families that are
fighting pediatric cancer. We serve the patient, the siblings and
mom and dad or whoever the caretakers are. So there's
two sides to Candlelighters. A lot of folks know our
donation center, whether you're bringing your used high school, your
household items to savers or you're calling our truck to
pick up from your driveway, and all of that feeds
(01:30):
our programs. And the programs are really the heart and
soul of Candle Lighters. So we have wrap around comprehensive
care for these pediatric cancer patients, whether it's group support,
summer camp, field trips around the area, family meetings, teen meetings,
anything they need so that they don't feel alone while
(01:51):
they're in their cancer battle.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I can't imagine. So the items that people donate to
candle Lighters, it's not really the items are going to
the families. It's more so the fun that are raised
from that is to support the programs of Candle Lighters,
exactly right.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
So everything you donate to our donation center you'll find
at the Savers stores. They're a critical community partner for us.
We love our partnership with them, and then that they
buy the items from us, and that funds are programs.
So you're used toaster, you're used blue jeans, literally help
kids fight cancer.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Well, you know, I like to go to Savers a
lot of times on Halloween. They have a lot of
good Halloween stuff. That have a lot of cool stuff.
And I didn't know that Savers work directly with candle lighters,
so that's also when to start shopping at Savers more. Absolutely,
Beyonnest and you know, and the thing.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Is upcycling and recycling and thrifting are super popular, especially
with the younger crowd, but it's also really critical for
our environment. So we have enough clothes on earth right
now to clothe the next six generations of humans, so
we don't really need to be buying from stores. When
you buy secondhand, it's better for the environment, it's better
for human rights, and then you literally get to help kids.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Fight camp and it's better for your wallet especially. That's right. Oh,
that's awesome. So that's right. The programs that you were
talking about, there's different services online. I read that you
all can even provide financial help. Can you go a
little bit more in depth on maybe some of the services,
say you know again, heaven forbid? A family finds out
that you know, their child just got diagnosed. So now
(03:21):
they're like, okay, I've heard of Candle Lighters. They help
families and kids with cancer. What are the next steps
to getting help from you all? How does that look?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Right? So that family is going to be seen by
the wonderful doctors and nurses at al Passo Children's Hospital.
They are the key component to making sure that our
kids survive. Eight out of our ten kids do survive
their cancer battle and yeah, that's it's incredible numbers that
we see rise and we're joyful and grateful for that.
(03:48):
So they partner with the hospital social worker and we
get the referral from the social worker. They become a
Candle Lighters kid, but the entire family becomes a Candle
Lighters family, because when you receive a can diagnosis, yes
the patient is sick, but the entire family receives the
diagnosis and their world changes from that moment on. So
(04:08):
Candle Lighters, we can't help the bad days, right, those
bad days are going to come. You know, the doctors
and nurses do everything they can to ease it. We
do everything we can to ease it. So we can't
take away those bad days. But where they're on the
bad days and for the good days, we make sure
that they're just really, really really good. So all that
wrap around care, all that love, that support, that emotional support,
(04:29):
we do that. But you mentioned financial assistance. So when
a family and often is the case and I'll pass,
so they have to travel outside of the city for care,
so we help we help fund those travel costs while
the kid is admitted and maybe they're in the hospital
for a month or three months. You forget about paying
the electric bill, We pay their utilities. We help with rent,
(04:50):
will help with the cost of wigs or prosthesis, you know,
anything we can do to alleviate that financial crisis that
happens that comes with that cancer diagnosis. We do everything
we can to ease that burden.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
And of course again that's where you know the money
the items that you donate that Savers buys and the
funds raise it goes to programs like that. Yeah, and
of course you can also donate financially all you got
to do is call Candle Lighters. Again. This information will
be on Powno two Sunday, ninety nine point nine and
ninety six point three k Country, Instagram and Facebook, as
(05:24):
well as a description. If you're listening on the iHeart
app under the al Paso public form, you can call
nine one five five for four two two two two.
Candle Lighters will give you a QR code you can
donate to the cash app. So again, helping those families. All,
you know, all nonprofits need volunteers and they need money.
And again, which you were just describing, as a parent myself,
I can't imagine. Thank God, my kids are healthy, but
(05:45):
having a program like this would just be a tremendous help.
And again we're talking here with Melissa Atkins Wardi. She's
the CEO of Candle Lighters of the l Paso area. Melissa,
you were telling me earlier a little bit about a
new bill, a new place that you all just got.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
We're on radio, but I feel like everybody should dance
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Yeah, I'm all right, we're dancing. So we're so excited
about this.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
We our CEO that just retired, Scott Lynch, set us
up with incredible financial health to buy this program center.
It's a gorgeous historic hacienda on Grand View, just down
the hill from Texas on Collegy. It triples the program
space we have for these families. Okay, so we've got
(06:31):
in that. The thing that was really important that we
heard from our families was that they didn't want something
that looked like an office building or felt like a clinic,
because that's where they spend so much of their time.
And so we really wanted something that felt and looked
like a home, and we found the most perfect space.
So whether the kids are coming in for family game night,
whether they're coming to a nutrition class because you know,
(06:52):
nutrition is critical for kids with cancer, whether they're coming
to help us play in the vegetable garden we're going
to plant, or play in the grove of mesquite trees.
I mean, it's just the most beautiful space. We're going
to have an entire wing dedicated to our teens and
young adults, and then on the other side will have
a counseling center. And our goal for twenty twenty six
(07:14):
is to hire a full time counselor to help these
families through the most difficult days of their life.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
That's amazing. So part of my job with being on
country radio because I am on ninety six point three
K Country, I got sent to Memphis to see Saint
Jude and take a tour of their facility. And they
did emphasize the fact that it not looking like a hospital,
you know, and you know where it can where they
can help it. It does play a huge role in
the comfort and relieving the stress. And you know, because
(07:42):
your body it's all connected. You know, you think your health,
you think just certain organs, certain body parts, but it's
all connected. So the more you can bring that stress down,
the more you can relax, the better that they're able
to receive that care. And the families can feel a
little bit more relaxed while their kids are receiving their care.
So that's amazing. That's amazing that the pas CEO put,
you know, set that up for you and I can
(08:03):
see why you danced, I can see where you're excited.
That's amazing. Again. Eighteen forty grand View the new Candle
Lighters program center.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Correct, Yes, give us a week to move in, but
then please come visit. We'd love to give you a tour.
You can find out more about the programs we do.
And then you had mentioned earlier critical to nonprofit is volunteers.
So if you have a skill you want to teach
these kids, Like if you're a master gardener and you
want to help us with the vegetable garden, or if
you know how to I don't know, burn woodworking, or
do clay pottery things, arty things, which I'm not. Yeah,
(08:34):
that part of the whatever your skill is. The thing
is these kids want an hour or two hours of
their day where they're not thinking about being sick, where
they're not thinking about their brother or sister, you know,
and all the worry that comes with it, where the
parents can just go downstairs and make a cup of
tea and the kids are running around upstairs, playing with
the toys, playing with the games.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
So if you, if.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
You have time, if you have a skill, or if
you just want to sit and like play a wicked
game of Uno with these kids, wish you the best.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Of luck, because they're gonna smoke.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Yeah, come hang out with us, Come hang out and
see how resilient and amazing and joyful and strong these
kids are, because they will blow your socks off.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
You know, one thing, Because they had stuff like that.
Of course at Saint Jude's too is they had someone
that came in and did the hair, did the makeup,
not only for the kids, but for the moms. Two nails.
You know, you don't have to be like a nail expert,
but if you know how to paint some basic nail
polish something like that too. Now with that being said,
I'm assuming that everyone is maybe they go through some
kind of check before they interact with the kids. Oh, absolutely, okay, perfect, Yeah,
(09:35):
I know that that might be a That would be
my first concern hearing something like that.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Stringing background checks. Yep, we interview, make sure that you're
the right fit to be around our kids. Everybody needs
to be safe. One that is non negotiable.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Perfect, amazing. Now there is an event coming up and Deedy,
I'm going to have you talk about this a little
bit more again, Deety Survivor's Lady with Survivors MC al
Paso Chapter. It is a motorcycle club. They're having their
fourth annual Candle Lighters Toy Run. Didi, can you tell
us a little bit more about what this event is?
Speaker 4 (10:08):
You bet? Yes, So this is such an awesome event,
you know, we have a lot of children out there
and times are very very hard, and these children, especially
that are so severely sick and some even terminal, just
to put a smile on their face makes it worth
all everything that we do. It's going to be on
(10:30):
December thirteenth at La Combe Hot Tacos at ninety three
hundred acer. We're gonna start showing up at ten thirty.
Will's up at eleven thirty. Now, mind you, you don't
have to be on a motorcycle, bring your bicycle, bring
your skateboard, bring your car, we don't care. Come and
join us. We're gonna have We're gonna preay down. We
(10:50):
have a Santa Claus, we have an awesome Grinch that
is better than Jim Carrey. Yes, we have L's and
of course the Bicker community is going to be there.
All that we ask is that if you show up
on time, please and also bring an unwrapped no less
than five dollars toy so we can donate to these children's. Now,
as we're parading into the facility that Miss Melissa was
(11:13):
talking about, they're going to have the children outside so
they're gonna be able to watch all of this come
in and it is amazing to see these children, these
little heroes of ours, because they're the real troopers, be
out there and rootin us on and oh my gosh,
look at the bikes, and you know, look at the
Grinch and look at this, and it makes a difference.
It makes a big difference. Especially with the way the
(11:35):
world's going today. We need to bring some sunshine in
where there's been rain.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
And the holidays are the perfect time. So again, even
if you're not on a motorcycle, even if you're not
going to be in a parade, I'm sure if you
handed an unwrapped gift to a biker or someone that
is in the parade, they'll gladly take it to the kids.
It's for all ages, any you know, all kids included,
but especially and I've seen this a lot. I've done
a lot of these throughout the years. Teens. They need
a lot of gifts. For the older kids. Gift cards, headphones.
(12:02):
I don't know what teens like nowadays, but you can
google it, you know. But again, gift cards like fast foods,
anything that you think a teenager might like. But again,
an unwrapped gift for all ages. Saturday, December seventeenth. It's
starting at ninety three hundred AC or what is the
name of that place.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
This is gonna be the lot.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
It's the old Burger Bros. Okay, the old Burger Bros.
It's gonna start there me at ten thirty. Case you
kickstands up, whatever you got, you buy a car, whatever,
will start moving at eleven thirty. And it's gonna go
to the Multipurpose rec Center at ninety thirty one viscount correct.
That is correct.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
And also if you can't make the parade or whatever,
go on down to the Christmas party for the kids
and bring a toy there. They would love to see you. Wall.
It's all a welcome There is no discrimination on this.
Like I said, it is for a very good cars.
I'm a five time cancer survivor myself. I have an
(12:58):
inclination of what it goes, what we go through, what
our families go through, and everything else. But these children
are the heroes. Like I said, these children endure so much.
I have become very close with a lot of these families.
A lot of these children have just touched I've been
honored through the years to be able to work with
candle lighters and their staff is just amazing on the
(13:22):
work that they do and they don't really get the
credit for it, you know what I mean. It's kind
of like our club, the Survivors MC. We were established
in nineteen ninety one. We are also the only clean
and sober club here in El Paso. Okay, we give
back to the community of what we took so much from.
That is our common goal. To work with these children
(13:43):
has been an honor through the years. To see what
they go through, to see them overcome and always have
a smile, it's just amazing to me. I mean I've
got goosebumps going on right now to see how these
parents are handling the situation with the hope and the
love and the support for these babies. Yeah, I mean,
(14:06):
it's just it's it's got sense, it's just godsense. So yes,
come on down, come party with us. It's good, it's
gonna be fun. We're gonna have a blast. Take some
pictures with Santa, our l's in the and our granch
and you know, bring a toy, bring in mid to somebody.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Bring an unwrapped gift. Yes, it's amazing, and so again,
Candlelighters elp dot Org you can get more information on
candle lighters. You can call candle Lighters, Google it again.
We'll have all this information on Pounder two point one Sunday,
ninety nine point nine and ninety six point three k
country our Instagram and Facebook, and if you listen on
the free iHeart app under Alpasso Public Forum, that information
(14:42):
and links will be there as well. You can make
a cash donation at any time, not just for the
toy run, but just to candle Lighters in general. So
again the fourth annual Candle Lighters Toy Run, Bring an
unwrapped gift, all ages, Saturday, December thirteenth, Meet at ten
thirty am, start going at eleven thirty am. And DEDI
thank you both so much for talking with us today.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Thank you. Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum.
I am your host, Amber Banda and right now, very
very cool initiative the Light the World Giving Machines. We
have some here in al Paso and in Las Crusis,
and here to talk with us today. We have Elaine Bracken,
(15:27):
City lead for al Paso and Las Crusis for the
Light the World Giving Machines. Elaine, thank you for talking
with us today. Oh, we are thrilled to be here.
Of course, you look very festive in your scar very
candy cane vibes. And we also have here Alma Mayes,
communication director for the Giving Machine in al Paso and
Las Crusis. Alma, thank you for joining us here today.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
Too, Amber, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Of course. So the Giving Machine is basically exactly how
it sounds. When I found out about it, I was,
this is so cool. All right, I'm not gonna I'm
not gonna explain it. Elaine, can you tell us a
little bit more about literally what is the Giving Machine?
Speaker 6 (16:03):
The Giving Machine began with an initiative by the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints to let us
and allow us to give to other people and be
a part of giving, especially this holiday season. And it
began with someone going to an actual giving a coke
(16:24):
machine or a vending machine, and they were thinking in
their minds, how can we let people have an actual
experience of giving? And they went with that, and so
we have a vending machine in which has items that
you can donate and give and to people right here
(16:46):
in al Passa.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
That's right. So exactly how hes explaining it. You go
in Instead of buying a soda, you can buy a lane.
Would you like to describe maybe some of the things
that people can purchase.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
You can buy food, a lot of food to give
to people in need here in a Passo or Las Crusis.
You can give a comfort bear for someone at a
grief center who has lost a parent. And we also
have the Rescue Mission where they help so many homeless people,
(17:20):
and you can buy work boots for them because they're
helping them to come back and return to the world
of work and experiencing life. You also can help people
with the Center against Sexual and Family Violence, just simple
things like a coat or a pair of shoes.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
There are a lot of needs.
Speaker 6 (17:45):
In our city and this is giving us the opportunity
to do that.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
And you gave me a paper earlier. I wasn't aware.
But you actually are working with local organizations, correct, So
the items that people buy it stays here locally.
Speaker 6 (18:00):
We have five local charities and two global charities. Okay, so,
but the majority of our item cards that you'll have
the opportunity to purchase are from right here, local and
it goes right back to these charities and they will
go to people, our friends, our neighbors, right here in
now Passo.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
That is so cool. Would you like to list off
maybe all the charities that you're working with?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Sure?
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Or did I steal your paper here?
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Now?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Okay, you got an extra gaper too. We got notes here, people,
we can't memorize everything.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
We have Casa Pettigrinos, which is in Las Cruces and
it is a food bank, okay. And then we have
the Children's Grief Center of El Paso, which is right
here in El Paso. The Center against Sexual and Family
Violence that is here in El Paso, l Passo. One's
fighting hunger. This is a huge food bank that helps
so many peoples. And there are many of our locations
(18:56):
that people get money throughout the whole city. That is
where the money is or the foods are coming. Yeah,
the Rescue Mission about Passo. And then we have two
worldwide services. One is called the Days for Girls and
the other is the Church Worldwide Services.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Oh wow, that's amazing. So I'm you know, one, I've
been doing nonprofit work and working with a lot of
nonprofits for a while now, and one thing I hear is, well,
I don't have enough money to give now is there
may be like a minimum when people have to donate.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
They can come and literally donate five dollars, okay, and
with five dollars they can feed twenty five meals.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Oh wow.
Speaker 6 (19:40):
Really yeah, if you donated, we have from the pass
one's fighting hunger, you can feed a senior and they
will deliver food to the senior and it will the
food that they will deliver will last a week. And
that's only twenty five dollars. Oh wow, that's amazing. So
there's a lot of good we can do and it
(20:00):
doesn't cost a lot. The most expensive on our enorm
machines is one hundred dollars. Oh really, Yeah, it's all
very minimal because the needs are great. We kept it
minimal in hopes of getting help and donations, especially this
(20:22):
holiday season.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Yeah, and it's like the people that maybe don't have
as much to give, they know what it's like to
not have, so they want to give. So that's good
to know that you don't need a whole lot of
money to be able to donate and to help, so
that that is super cool. But one of the questions
I have, how was because this is the first time
it's been in al Paso. Correct r How is it
brought to al Passo? How did that start?
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Do you know what?
Speaker 6 (20:46):
Our church has them throughout the world. Okay, and last
year there was over one hundred and seven throughout the world,
and so they've just slowly progressively have introduced them to
other cities. And we've had the privilege this year to
have the opportunity to have the giving machines here and
(21:07):
we're thrilled and we're so excited for El Pasolin's and
for everyone Yeah, has the opportunity to come and give.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, it's so cool. When I saw the video and
it's like, you know, you're literally going into vending machine
and Okay, before we get into like the details of
where is it, the hour, stuff like that, I want
to walk through like the logistics. So you go into
the machine and like a typical vending machine, well some
of them are a little more fancy now with the cards,
but you enter a number, right and then you put
(21:39):
your card like you just like tap it or swipe
it or chip it whatever. Like I'm going up to
this machine. Was it look like what's happening?
Speaker 3 (21:45):
You know?
Speaker 6 (21:46):
We always have some volunteer there to help you, Okay,
so you don't, okay, worry about it.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Okay.
Speaker 6 (21:51):
When you go up to the machine, you'll they're right,
big red machine.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
How many are there? There are two?
Speaker 6 (21:58):
Okay, there's two, and one of them one of them
is in English and one is in Spanish.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Perfect.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
So you will seek item cards is what we call them,
in there, and there will be a picture and a
description of the things you can purchase. So, just like
when you're buying a coke, you're going to enter the
code or the number in. So you put in the
number one twenty three, it's alid digital, yeah, and then
you enter it in yes, I want this, and then
(22:24):
you pay for it with a credit card or debit card.
And then you can get.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
A receipt back via text.
Speaker 6 (22:30):
Or email or a scan with your phone.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Oh cool. And since you said receipt, are these tax deductible? Absolutely?
There you go. Awesome. So again, if you're just tuning in,
I have here Elaine Bracken. She is the city lead
for al Paso and Los cruisis for the Light the
World Giving Machines, and I'm also speaking with Alma Mayesse,
communication director for the Giving Machine in al Paso and
(22:57):
Los crusis Alma. I want to ask you what as
communication director, what is your role in the giving machine
in our cities.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
Yes, Amber, our role has been to use a lot
of social media within our committees. We have social media
representatives within our congregations, so that's really been our go
to place, just spreading the word through social media in
our congregations as well, going on Sundays passing out flyers
(23:25):
and just encouraging them to bring friends, you know, relatives
and just spread the word as much as we can.
But that's been our main, our main focus to use
social media.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Are you doing like the TikTok dances like around the
giving mission to have you both do tiktoks that way
people tune into the Instagram. But yeah, I mean social
media can be Yeah, it can be a curse, but
it can be an absolute blessing like in this case.
You know, we're I think I saw a video again.
It was real cool. You put it in and then
all of a sudden, like a soccer ball dropped from
the guy and some you know, there was a kid
playing soccer and stuff like that. So now we're going
(23:57):
to get into you know the details. Where are these
giving machines located.
Speaker 6 (24:03):
We are just across the street from Winterfest, right downtown
at the Plaza.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
I was just there yesterday. Well you know, by the
time this airs was about a week ago, but oh man,
I would have gone to check it out.
Speaker 6 (24:13):
Literally, if you look across the street across Oregon, you
will see them and they're two big get two big
red machines.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yeah, you can't miss them.
Speaker 6 (24:24):
You can't miss.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
So they're at Uh there's a patio outside the foundation
room of the plaza. Okay, awesome, And this is okay,
so this is tied in with the al Paso Community Foundation.
How did you guys get together? How did that work?
Do you know what?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
We had a member who knew and had worked with
the Al Passo Community Foundation and when we were looking
for a location, they offered it and so they were
wonderful to offer that for us to use. And it's
right there. Yeah, So those that are coming to Winterfest
you'll see the great big machines. Just come over and
(25:00):
visit us.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
That's right. You don't need to take a donation. You
don't need to, you know, worry about going to get something.
It's right there. All you got to do is take
your money and right now they're running from now until
when until December ninth? Okay, so yeah, you have a
little bit of time left. And are there hours or
are they open all the time.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
Well, they are open, but we have volunteers that are
there from eleven am to nine pm that will help
you and explain to it, explain to you you know,
what they are, and kind of help you understand about
the charities too. But this one hundred percent of all
the proceeds go to the charities.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Okay, so it's open twenty four to seven, but people
are it's manned from eleven tonight. Okay, fantastic, that's awesome.
Now I'd like to learn a little bit about logistics.
And when I was talking to my daughter about these
giving machines, She's tan to ask or like, what questions
do you have? And she wants to know how do
these things get delivered? Like I've seen the guys and
the trucks come up and they count the the coins
(26:00):
and this and that. So what are the logistics behind that?
How you gather everything and then deliver it.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Well, we're in a digital age, yes, and so everything
will digitally be collected added and then Eventually, I am
guessing probably January February, we will do a grand presentation
to each one of our charities at the total amount.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
That they will receive. Oh that's all.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
The wonderful thing is each one of these charities have
promised to use this money for their people and use
it for that, whether it's it's you know, a food,
whether it is a new pair of shoes or a
book for a child, all of these, all of the
(26:44):
moneies that are donated will go directly to the people here.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
And a majority of the organizations that are on here
that are local, I have interviewed them. I know people
from there, and I can attest to that that they
will be using that money where they say it's going
to be used. So the Al Passo al Passos Light
the World, almos crusis is giving machines. They're going to
be at the foundation room and that patio outside there's
(27:09):
two big red ones. You can't miss them. The al
Paso Community Foundation has offered, you know, to have them
housed there three three three North Oregon Street. Running from
now until December ninth, they're open twenty four to seven,
but from eleven to nine there'll be someone there to
explain the nonprofits, explain the process. You can go to
lightthoworld dot org for more information and of course on
(27:29):
Parno two point one, Sunny ninety nine point nine and
on ninety six point three k Hey Countries, Instagrams, and Facebook,
all that information will be there. If you're listening on
the free iHeart app, that information is going to be
in the description of the podcast. Now, I'm going to
ask both of you this question. I'm going to start
with you, Elaine, is there anything else that you would
like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 6 (27:49):
I love El Paso and El Paso is a very
generous community and we have so many needs here in
al Paso. Come and help those that need things.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
That's a really cool and for all, you know, the
people that like to post on social media, it's a
really cool thing to post, you know, like the whole
process of Hey, I'm at a vending machine, but look
look what I'm buying for the holidays, right And Alma,
is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
You know, adding to what Elaine said, this community has
a lot of needs. As communications director, throughout the past
three years, I've had the opportunity to meet with these
organizations and learn about their needs and get to know
a lot of people. And something special about the getting
machine for this year that El Paso was selected are
(28:38):
two organizations. The Grieving Children's Center, something that we don't
even remember or it doesn't even come across through our mind,
and this is a need that provides healing for children,
for children that have lost a mother, a father, a relative.
This is a really really cool organization that helps and
(28:58):
gives support to these kids. The other one was the
Center Against Sexual and Family Violence. This also is for
people that are going through domestic violence. They have a
twenty four to seven hotline, they have emergency emergency shelter,
transitional living, they have a resource center where they can
(29:18):
get support. So these are needs that sometimes don't come
to our mind when we think of giving, we think
of homelessness and food insecurity. But I think this is
something special for this year in the giving machines.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
The mental health for especially the parents going through those issues,
and the CSFE. They also have a program with teens
where it teaches them about abuse and relationships. You know,
oh he loves me, so you know, just another thing
like you said, it's not the typical what you see
on the movies. Let me give my coat, which you can,
of course you can, but I mean those types of charities,
(29:51):
the ones that you mentioned, have a special place in
my heart. So again, you can go check out these
machines anytime outside the Foundation Room for More and Light
Theworld dot org. You can also find them on Instagram
at Giving Machine, l Passo. So let's come together El
Paso this holiday season really cool way. And then while
you're out there going joy Winterfest, go enjoy downtown, get
(30:12):
yourself a nice little coffee. Elaine and Alma, thank you
so much for being out here with us today. Thank you, Amber,
thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio l Passo. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com
or call us at nine one five three five one
five four zero zero. Tune in again next week for
(30:39):
another additional of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding program
was recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I'm your host,
Amber Banda, and today we have Melissa Atkins Wardi, the
CEO of Candle Lighters of alpa of the al Paso Area. Melissa,
thank you for talking with us today. Thank you for
having me definitely. And we also have Survivors Lady Dede
of Survivors MC al Paso Chapter. Dede, thank you for
(00:43):
talking with us today again, thanks for having me again.
Of course, so Candle Lighters and Survivors MC. In a
little bit we're going to get into the event that
Survivor's MC is having for candle Lighters. But first, I
know most of the listening audience, I know most of
you have heard of Candle Lighters of the Alpaso area.
But Melissa can you tell the listing audience a little
bit more about Candle Lighters, who they serve, and what
(01:06):
programs you offer.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Absolutely, so, Candlelighters serves children and their families that are
fighting pediatric cancer. We serve the patient, the siblings and
mom and dad or whoever the caretakers are. So there's
two sides to Candlelighters. A lot of folks know our
donation center, whether you're bringing your used high school, your
household items to savers or you're calling our truck to
pick up from your driveway, and all of that feeds
(01:30):
our programs. And the programs are really the heart and
soul of Candle Lighters. So we have wrap around comprehensive
care for these pediatric cancer patients, whether it's group support,
summer camp, field trips around the area, family meetings, teen meetings,
anything they need so that they don't feel alone while
(01:51):
they're in their cancer battle.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I can't imagine. So the items that people donate to
candle Lighters, it's not really the items are going to
the families. It's more so the fun that are raised
from that is to support the programs of Candle Lighters,
exactly right.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
So everything you donate to our donation center you'll find
at the Savers stores. They're a critical community partner for us.
We love our partnership with them, and then that they
buy the items from us, and that funds are programs.
So you're used toaster, you're used blue jeans, literally help
kids fight cancer.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Well, you know, I like to go to Savers a
lot of times on Halloween. They have a lot of
good Halloween stuff. That have a lot of cool stuff.
And I didn't know that Savers work directly with candle lighters,
so that's also when to start shopping at Savers more. Absolutely,
Beyonnest and you know, and the thing.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Is upcycling and recycling and thrifting are super popular, especially
with the younger crowd, but it's also really critical for
our environment. So we have enough clothes on earth right
now to clothe the next six generations of humans, so
we don't really need to be buying from stores. When
you buy secondhand, it's better for the environment, it's better
for human rights, and then you literally get to help kids.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Fight camp and it's better for your wallet especially. That's right. Oh,
that's awesome. So that's right. The programs that you were
talking about, there's different services online. I read that you
all can even provide financial help. Can you go a
little bit more in depth on maybe some of the services,
say you know again, heaven forbid? A family finds out
that you know, their child just got diagnosed. So now
(03:21):
they're like, okay, I've heard of Candle Lighters. They help
families and kids with cancer. What are the next steps
to getting help from you all? How does that look?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Right? So that family is going to be seen by
the wonderful doctors and nurses at al Passo Children's Hospital.
They are the key component to making sure that our
kids survive. Eight out of our ten kids do survive
their cancer battle and yeah, that's it's incredible numbers that
we see rise and we're joyful and grateful for that.
(03:48):
So they partner with the hospital social worker and we
get the referral from the social worker. They become a
Candle Lighters kid, but the entire family becomes a Candle
Lighters family, because when you receive a can diagnosis, yes
the patient is sick, but the entire family receives the
diagnosis and their world changes from that moment on. So
(04:08):
Candle Lighters, we can't help the bad days, right, those
bad days are going to come. You know, the doctors
and nurses do everything they can to ease it. We
do everything we can to ease it. So we can't
take away those bad days. But where they're on the
bad days and for the good days, we make sure
that they're just really, really really good. So all that
wrap around care, all that love, that support, that emotional support,
(04:29):
we do that. But you mentioned financial assistance. So when
a family and often is the case and I'll pass,
so they have to travel outside of the city for care,
so we help we help fund those travel costs while
the kid is admitted and maybe they're in the hospital
for a month or three months. You forget about paying
the electric bill, We pay their utilities. We help with rent,
(04:50):
will help with the cost of wigs or prosthesis, you know,
anything we can do to alleviate that financial crisis that
happens that comes with that cancer diagnosis. We do everything
we can to ease that burden.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
And of course again that's where you know the money
the items that you donate that Savers buys and the
funds raise it goes to programs like that. Yeah, and
of course you can also donate financially all you got
to do is call Candle Lighters. Again. This information will
be on Powno two Sunday, ninety nine point nine and
ninety six point three k Country, Instagram and Facebook, as
(05:24):
well as a description. If you're listening on the iHeart
app under the al Paso public form, you can call
nine one five five for four two two two two.
Candle Lighters will give you a QR code you can
donate to the cash app. So again, helping those families. All,
you know, all nonprofits need volunteers and they need money.
And again, which you were just describing, as a parent myself,
I can't imagine. Thank God, my kids are healthy, but
(05:45):
having a program like this would just be a tremendous help.
And again we're talking here with Melissa Atkins Wardi. She's
the CEO of Candle Lighters of the l Paso area. Melissa,
you were telling me earlier a little bit about a
new bill, a new place that you all just got.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
We're on radio, but I feel like everybody should dance
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Yeah, I'm all right, we're dancing. So we're so excited
about this.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
We our CEO that just retired, Scott Lynch, set us
up with incredible financial health to buy this program center.
It's a gorgeous historic hacienda on Grand View, just down
the hill from Texas on Collegy. It triples the program
space we have for these families. Okay, so we've got
(06:31):
in that. The thing that was really important that we
heard from our families was that they didn't want something
that looked like an office building or felt like a clinic,
because that's where they spend so much of their time.
And so we really wanted something that felt and looked
like a home, and we found the most perfect space.
So whether the kids are coming in for family game night,
whether they're coming to a nutrition class because you know,
(06:52):
nutrition is critical for kids with cancer, whether they're coming
to help us play in the vegetable garden we're going
to plant, or play in the grove of mesquite trees.
I mean, it's just the most beautiful space. We're going
to have an entire wing dedicated to our teens and
young adults, and then on the other side will have
a counseling center. And our goal for twenty twenty six
(07:14):
is to hire a full time counselor to help these
families through the most difficult days of their life.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
That's amazing. So part of my job with being on
country radio because I am on ninety six point three
K Country, I got sent to Memphis to see Saint
Jude and take a tour of their facility. And they
did emphasize the fact that it not looking like a hospital,
you know, and you know where it can where they
can help it. It does play a huge role in
the comfort and relieving the stress. And you know, because
(07:42):
your body it's all connected. You know, you think your health,
you think just certain organs, certain body parts, but it's
all connected. So the more you can bring that stress down,
the more you can relax, the better that they're able
to receive that care. And the families can feel a
little bit more relaxed while their kids are receiving their care.
So that's amazing. That's amazing that the pas CEO put,
you know, set that up for you and I can
(08:03):
see why you danced, I can see where you're excited.
That's amazing. Again. Eighteen forty grand View the new Candle
Lighters program center.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Correct, Yes, give us a week to move in, but
then please come visit. We'd love to give you a tour.
You can find out more about the programs we do.
And then you had mentioned earlier critical to nonprofit is volunteers.
So if you have a skill you want to teach
these kids, Like if you're a master gardener and you
want to help us with the vegetable garden, or if
you know how to I don't know, burn woodworking, or
do clay pottery things, arty things, which I'm not. Yeah,
(08:34):
that part of the whatever your skill is. The thing
is these kids want an hour or two hours of
their day where they're not thinking about being sick, where
they're not thinking about their brother or sister, you know,
and all the worry that comes with it, where the
parents can just go downstairs and make a cup of
tea and the kids are running around upstairs, playing with
the toys, playing with the games.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
So if you, if.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
You have time, if you have a skill, or if
you just want to sit and like play a wicked
game of Uno with these kids, wish you the best.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Of luck, because they're gonna smoke.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Yeah, come hang out with us, Come hang out and
see how resilient and amazing and joyful and strong these
kids are, because they will blow your socks off.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
You know, one thing, Because they had stuff like that.
Of course at Saint Jude's too is they had someone
that came in and did the hair, did the makeup,
not only for the kids, but for the moms. Two nails.
You know, you don't have to be like a nail expert,
but if you know how to paint some basic nail
polish something like that too. Now with that being said,
I'm assuming that everyone is maybe they go through some
kind of check before they interact with the kids. Oh, absolutely, okay, perfect, Yeah,
(09:35):
I know that that might be a That would be
my first concern hearing something like that.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Stringing background checks. Yep, we interview, make sure that you're
the right fit to be around our kids. Everybody needs
to be safe. One that is non negotiable.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Perfect, amazing. Now there is an event coming up and Deedy,
I'm going to have you talk about this a little
bit more again, Deety Survivor's Lady with Survivors MC al
Paso Chapter. It is a motorcycle club. They're having their
fourth annual Candle Lighters Toy Run. Didi, can you tell
us a little bit more about what this event is?
Speaker 4 (10:08):
You bet? Yes, So this is such an awesome event,
you know, we have a lot of children out there
and times are very very hard, and these children, especially
that are so severely sick and some even terminal, just
to put a smile on their face makes it worth
all everything that we do. It's going to be on
(10:30):
December thirteenth at La Combe Hot Tacos at ninety three
hundred acer. We're gonna start showing up at ten thirty.
Will's up at eleven thirty. Now, mind you, you don't
have to be on a motorcycle, bring your bicycle, bring
your skateboard, bring your car, we don't care. Come and
join us. We're gonna have We're gonna preay down. We
(10:50):
have a Santa Claus, we have an awesome Grinch that
is better than Jim Carrey. Yes, we have L's and
of course the Bicker community is going to be there.
All that we ask is that if you show up
on time, please and also bring an unwrapped no less
than five dollars toy so we can donate to these children's. Now,
as we're parading into the facility that Miss Melissa was
(11:13):
talking about, they're going to have the children outside so
they're gonna be able to watch all of this come
in and it is amazing to see these children, these
little heroes of ours, because they're the real troopers, be
out there and rootin us on and oh my gosh,
look at the bikes, and you know, look at the
Grinch and look at this, and it makes a difference.
It makes a big difference. Especially with the way the
(11:35):
world's going today. We need to bring some sunshine in
where there's been rain.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
And the holidays are the perfect time. So again, even
if you're not on a motorcycle, even if you're not
going to be in a parade, I'm sure if you
handed an unwrapped gift to a biker or someone that
is in the parade, they'll gladly take it to the kids.
It's for all ages, any you know, all kids included,
but especially and I've seen this a lot. I've done
a lot of these throughout the years. Teens. They need
a lot of gifts. For the older kids. Gift cards, headphones.
(12:02):
I don't know what teens like nowadays, but you can
google it, you know. But again, gift cards like fast foods,
anything that you think a teenager might like. But again,
an unwrapped gift for all ages. Saturday, December seventeenth. It's
starting at ninety three hundred AC or what is the
name of that place.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
This is gonna be the lot.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
It's the old Burger Bros. Okay, the old Burger Bros.
It's gonna start there me at ten thirty. Case you
kickstands up, whatever you got, you buy a car, whatever,
will start moving at eleven thirty. And it's gonna go
to the Multipurpose rec Center at ninety thirty one viscount correct.
That is correct.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
And also if you can't make the parade or whatever,
go on down to the Christmas party for the kids
and bring a toy there. They would love to see you. Wall.
It's all a welcome There is no discrimination on this.
Like I said, it is for a very good cars.
I'm a five time cancer survivor myself. I have an
(12:58):
inclination of what it goes, what we go through, what
our families go through, and everything else. But these children
are the heroes. Like I said, these children endure so much.
I have become very close with a lot of these families.
A lot of these children have just touched I've been
honored through the years to be able to work with
candle lighters and their staff is just amazing on the
(13:22):
work that they do and they don't really get the
credit for it, you know what I mean. It's kind
of like our club, the Survivors MC. We were established
in nineteen ninety one. We are also the only clean
and sober club here in El Paso. Okay, we give
back to the community of what we took so much from.
That is our common goal. To work with these children
(13:43):
has been an honor through the years. To see what
they go through, to see them overcome and always have
a smile, it's just amazing to me. I mean I've
got goosebumps going on right now to see how these
parents are handling the situation with the hope and the
love and the support for these babies. Yeah, I mean,
(14:06):
it's just it's it's got sense, it's just godsense. So yes,
come on down, come party with us. It's good, it's
gonna be fun. We're gonna have a blast. Take some
pictures with Santa, our l's in the and our granch
and you know, bring a toy, bring in mid to somebody.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Bring an unwrapped gift. Yes, it's amazing, and so again,
Candlelighters elp dot Org you can get more information on
candle lighters. You can call candle Lighters, Google it again.
We'll have all this information on Pounder two point one Sunday,
ninety nine point nine and ninety six point three k
country our Instagram and Facebook, and if you listen on
the free iHeart app under Alpasso Public Forum, that information
(14:42):
and links will be there as well. You can make
a cash donation at any time, not just for the
toy run, but just to candle Lighters in general. So
again the fourth annual Candle Lighters Toy Run, Bring an
unwrapped gift, all ages, Saturday, December thirteenth, Meet at ten
thirty am, start going at eleven thirty am. And DEDI
thank you both so much for talking with us today.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Thank you. Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum.
I am your host, Amber Banda and right now, very
very cool initiative the Light the World Giving Machines. We
have some here in al Paso and in Las Crusis,
and here to talk with us today. We have Elaine Bracken,
(15:27):
City lead for al Paso and Las Crusis for the
Light the World Giving Machines. Elaine, thank you for talking
with us today. Oh, we are thrilled to be here.
Of course, you look very festive in your scar very
candy cane vibes. And we also have here Alma Mayes,
communication director for the Giving Machine in al Paso and
Las Crusis. Alma, thank you for joining us here today.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
Too, Amber, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Of course. So the Giving Machine is basically exactly how
it sounds. When I found out about it, I was,
this is so cool. All right, I'm not gonna I'm
not gonna explain it. Elaine, can you tell us a
little bit more about literally what is the Giving Machine?
Speaker 6 (16:03):
The Giving Machine began with an initiative by the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints to let us
and allow us to give to other people and be
a part of giving, especially this holiday season. And it
began with someone going to an actual giving a coke
(16:24):
machine or a vending machine, and they were thinking in
their minds, how can we let people have an actual
experience of giving? And they went with that, and so
we have a vending machine in which has items that
you can donate and give and to people right here
(16:46):
in al Passa.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
That's right. So exactly how hes explaining it. You go
in Instead of buying a soda, you can buy a lane.
Would you like to describe maybe some of the things
that people can purchase.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
You can buy food, a lot of food to give
to people in need here in a Passo or Las Crusis.
You can give a comfort bear for someone at a
grief center who has lost a parent. And we also
have the Rescue Mission where they help so many homeless people,
(17:20):
and you can buy work boots for them because they're
helping them to come back and return to the world
of work and experiencing life. You also can help people
with the Center against Sexual and Family Violence, just simple
things like a coat or a pair of shoes.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
There are a lot of needs.
Speaker 6 (17:45):
In our city and this is giving us the opportunity
to do that.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
And you gave me a paper earlier. I wasn't aware.
But you actually are working with local organizations, correct, So
the items that people buy it stays here locally.
Speaker 6 (18:00):
We have five local charities and two global charities. Okay, so,
but the majority of our item cards that you'll have
the opportunity to purchase are from right here, local and
it goes right back to these charities and they will
go to people, our friends, our neighbors, right here in
now Passo.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
That is so cool. Would you like to list off
maybe all the charities that you're working with?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Sure?
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Or did I steal your paper here?
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Now?
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Okay, you got an extra gaper too. We got notes here, people,
we can't memorize everything.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
We have Casa Pettigrinos, which is in Las Cruces and
it is a food bank, okay. And then we have
the Children's Grief Center of El Paso, which is right
here in El Paso. The Center against Sexual and Family
Violence that is here in El Paso, l Passo. One's
fighting hunger. This is a huge food bank that helps
so many peoples. And there are many of our locations
(18:56):
that people get money throughout the whole city. That is
where the money is or the foods are coming. Yeah,
the Rescue Mission about Passo. And then we have two
worldwide services. One is called the Days for Girls and
the other is the Church Worldwide Services.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Oh wow, that's amazing. So I'm you know, one, I've
been doing nonprofit work and working with a lot of
nonprofits for a while now, and one thing I hear is, well,
I don't have enough money to give now is there
may be like a minimum when people have to donate.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
They can come and literally donate five dollars, okay, and
with five dollars they can feed twenty five meals.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Oh wow.
Speaker 6 (19:40):
Really yeah, if you donated, we have from the pass
one's fighting hunger, you can feed a senior and they
will deliver food to the senior and it will the
food that they will deliver will last a week. And
that's only twenty five dollars. Oh wow, that's amazing. So
there's a lot of good we can do and it
(20:00):
doesn't cost a lot. The most expensive on our enorm
machines is one hundred dollars. Oh really, Yeah, it's all
very minimal because the needs are great. We kept it
minimal in hopes of getting help and donations, especially this
(20:22):
holiday season.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
Yeah, and it's like the people that maybe don't have
as much to give, they know what it's like to
not have, so they want to give. So that's good
to know that you don't need a whole lot of
money to be able to donate and to help, so
that that is super cool. But one of the questions
I have, how was because this is the first time
it's been in al Paso. Correct r How is it
brought to al Passo? How did that start?
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Do you know what?
Speaker 6 (20:46):
Our church has them throughout the world. Okay, and last
year there was over one hundred and seven throughout the world,
and so they've just slowly progressively have introduced them to
other cities. And we've had the privilege this year to
have the opportunity to have the giving machines here and
(21:07):
we're thrilled and we're so excited for El Pasolin's and
for everyone Yeah, has the opportunity to come and give.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, it's so cool. When I saw the video and
it's like, you know, you're literally going into vending machine
and Okay, before we get into like the details of
where is it, the hour, stuff like that, I want
to walk through like the logistics. So you go into
the machine and like a typical vending machine, well some
of them are a little more fancy now with the cards,
but you enter a number, right and then you put
(21:39):
your card like you just like tap it or swipe
it or chip it whatever. Like I'm going up to
this machine. Was it look like what's happening?
Speaker 3 (21:45):
You know?
Speaker 6 (21:46):
We always have some volunteer there to help you, Okay,
so you don't, okay, worry about it.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Okay.
Speaker 6 (21:51):
When you go up to the machine, you'll they're right,
big red machine.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
How many are there? There are two?
Speaker 6 (21:58):
Okay, there's two, and one of them one of them
is in English and one is in Spanish.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Perfect.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
So you will seek item cards is what we call them,
in there, and there will be a picture and a
description of the things you can purchase. So, just like
when you're buying a coke, you're going to enter the
code or the number in. So you put in the
number one twenty three, it's alid digital, yeah, and then
you enter it in yes, I want this, and then
(22:24):
you pay for it with a credit card or debit card.
And then you can get.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
A receipt back via text.
Speaker 6 (22:30):
Or email or a scan with your phone.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Oh cool. And since you said receipt, are these tax deductible? Absolutely?
There you go. Awesome. So again, if you're just tuning in,
I have here Elaine Bracken. She is the city lead
for al Paso and Los cruisis for the Light the
World Giving Machines, and I'm also speaking with Alma Mayesse,
communication director for the Giving Machine in al Paso and
(22:57):
Los crusis Alma. I want to ask you what as
communication director, what is your role in the giving machine
in our cities.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
Yes, Amber, our role has been to use a lot
of social media within our committees. We have social media
representatives within our congregations, so that's really been our go
to place, just spreading the word through social media in
our congregations as well, going on Sundays passing out flyers
(23:25):
and just encouraging them to bring friends, you know, relatives
and just spread the word as much as we can.
But that's been our main, our main focus to use
social media.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
Are you doing like the TikTok dances like around the
giving mission to have you both do tiktoks that way
people tune into the Instagram. But yeah, I mean social
media can be Yeah, it can be a curse, but
it can be an absolute blessing like in this case.
You know, we're I think I saw a video again.
It was real cool. You put it in and then
all of a sudden, like a soccer ball dropped from
the guy and some you know, there was a kid
playing soccer and stuff like that. So now we're going
(23:57):
to get into you know the details. Where are these
giving machines located.
Speaker 6 (24:03):
We are just across the street from Winterfest, right downtown
at the Plaza.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
I was just there yesterday. Well you know, by the
time this airs was about a week ago, but oh man,
I would have gone to check it out.
Speaker 6 (24:13):
Literally, if you look across the street across Oregon, you
will see them and they're two big get two big
red machines.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yeah, you can't miss them.
Speaker 6 (24:24):
You can't miss.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
So they're at Uh there's a patio outside the foundation
room of the plaza. Okay, awesome, And this is okay,
so this is tied in with the al Paso Community Foundation.
How did you guys get together? How did that work?
Do you know what?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
We had a member who knew and had worked with
the Al Passo Community Foundation and when we were looking
for a location, they offered it and so they were
wonderful to offer that for us to use. And it's
right there. Yeah, So those that are coming to Winterfest
you'll see the great big machines. Just come over and
(25:00):
visit us.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
That's right. You don't need to take a donation. You
don't need to, you know, worry about going to get something.
It's right there. All you got to do is take
your money and right now they're running from now until
when until December ninth? Okay, so yeah, you have a
little bit of time left. And are there hours or
are they open all the time.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
Well, they are open, but we have volunteers that are
there from eleven am to nine pm that will help
you and explain to it, explain to you you know,
what they are, and kind of help you understand about
the charities too. But this one hundred percent of all
the proceeds go to the charities.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Okay, so it's open twenty four to seven, but people
are it's manned from eleven tonight. Okay, fantastic, that's awesome.
Now I'd like to learn a little bit about logistics.
And when I was talking to my daughter about these
giving machines, She's tan to ask or like, what questions
do you have? And she wants to know how do
these things get delivered? Like I've seen the guys and
the trucks come up and they count the the coins
(26:00):
and this and that. So what are the logistics behind that?
How you gather everything and then deliver it.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Well, we're in a digital age, yes, and so everything
will digitally be collected added and then Eventually, I am
guessing probably January February, we will do a grand presentation
to each one of our charities at the total amount.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
That they will receive. Oh that's all.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
The wonderful thing is each one of these charities have
promised to use this money for their people and use
it for that, whether it's it's you know, a food,
whether it is a new pair of shoes or a
book for a child, all of these, all of the
(26:44):
moneies that are donated will go directly to the people here.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
And a majority of the organizations that are on here
that are local, I have interviewed them. I know people
from there, and I can attest to that that they
will be using that money where they say it's going
to be used. So the Al Passo al Passos Light
the World, almos crusis is giving machines. They're going to
be at the foundation room and that patio outside there's
(27:09):
two big red ones. You can't miss them. The al
Paso Community Foundation has offered, you know, to have them
housed there three three three North Oregon Street. Running from
now until December ninth, they're open twenty four to seven,
but from eleven to nine there'll be someone there to
explain the nonprofits, explain the process. You can go to
lightthoworld dot org for more information and of course on
(27:29):
Parno two point one, Sunny ninety nine point nine and
on ninety six point three k Hey Countries, Instagrams, and Facebook,
all that information will be there. If you're listening on
the free iHeart app, that information is going to be
in the description of the podcast. Now, I'm going to
ask both of you this question. I'm going to start
with you, Elaine, is there anything else that you would
like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 6 (27:49):
I love El Paso and El Paso is a very
generous community and we have so many needs here in
al Paso. Come and help those that need things.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
That's a really cool and for all, you know, the
people that like to post on social media, it's a
really cool thing to post, you know, like the whole
process of Hey, I'm at a vending machine, but look
look what I'm buying for the holidays, right And Alma,
is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
You know, adding to what Elaine said, this community has
a lot of needs. As communications director, throughout the past
three years, I've had the opportunity to meet with these
organizations and learn about their needs and get to know
a lot of people. And something special about the getting
machine for this year that El Paso was selected are
(28:38):
two organizations. The Grieving Children's Center, something that we don't
even remember or it doesn't even come across through our mind,
and this is a need that provides healing for children,
for children that have lost a mother, a father, a relative.
This is a really really cool organization that helps and
(28:58):
gives support to these kids. The other one was the
Center Against Sexual and Family Violence. This also is for
people that are going through domestic violence. They have a
twenty four to seven hotline, they have emergency emergency shelter,
transitional living, they have a resource center where they can
(29:18):
get support. So these are needs that sometimes don't come
to our mind when we think of giving, we think
of homelessness and food insecurity. But I think this is
something special for this year in the giving machines.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
The mental health for especially the parents going through those issues,
and the CSFE. They also have a program with teens
where it teaches them about abuse and relationships. You know,
oh he loves me, so you know, just another thing
like you said, it's not the typical what you see
on the movies. Let me give my coat, which you can,
of course you can, but I mean those types of charities,
(29:51):
the ones that you mentioned, have a special place in
my heart. So again, you can go check out these
machines anytime outside the Foundation Room for More and Light
Theworld dot org. You can also find them on Instagram
at Giving Machine, l Passo. So let's come together El
Paso this holiday season really cool way. And then while
you're out there going joy Winterfest, go enjoy downtown, get
(30:12):
yourself a nice little coffee. Elaine and Alma, thank you
so much for being out here with us today. Thank you, Amber,
thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio l Passo. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com
or call us at nine one five three five one
five four zero zero. Tune in again next week for
(30:39):
another additional of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding program
was recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
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