Downtown Summerlin celebrates season of giving

The Giving Machine, the popular “vending machine” that works in reverse by giving users an opportunity to buy a variety of much-needed items for local and global charities via the swipe of a credit or debit card, returned Nov. 16 to Downtown Summerlin, where it will remain through Jan. 1. The Vegas Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar, with the help of mascot Chance made the first ceremonial donation to The Giving Machine at its recent launch.

Las Vegans can make donations at The Giving Machine by buying items that range from $5 to $250 and include staples such as meals on wheels and pet food for homebound seniors, bus passes, nebulizers and blood pressure cuffs, food for Ukrainian families, clothing, coats and hygiene items. For the global charities, items include chickens, beehives, milk goats and education costs for girls.

Local nonprofit beneficiaries this year include Catholic Charities, HELP of Southern Nevada, Project 150, Three Square and Volunteers in Medicine. Global beneficiaries include Church World Services and Lifting Hands International.

Now in its fifth year, Giving Machines, an initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, raised more than $5.8 million last holiday season across 10 locations worldwide, with more than $740,000 donated by more than 41,000 visitors at the Downtown Summerlin Giving Machine alone. Of that total, more than $500,000 was donated to support five local nonprofits, and nearly $240,000 was donated to two global nonprofits.

Santa Claus’ Chalet, presented by Tri Pointe Homes and located in the Macy’s Promenade, is open daily through Dec. 24 and presents the opportunity to support the work of nonprofit Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, which provides free shoes, socks and other supplies to thousands of children in the community. For every letter to Santa received at the Tri Pointe Homes Santa Claus’ Chalet, The Howard Hughes Corp. will donate $1 to the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation.

Returning this year is Lights for Flights Powered by Sol-Up — a fun activation featuring six giant lighted words spread throughout Downtown Summerlin: LOVE, JOY, HOPE, PEACE, SOAR and MIRACLE. The signs are sponsored to generate awareness and funds for the Las Vegas-based national nonprofit Miracle Flights, which provides free commercial flights to children and adults who need aid to reach life-changing medical care. Guests have an opportunity to donate to through QR codes on each sign.

For more on Downtown Summerlin’s holiday events, visit summerlin.com.

Now, in its 32nd year of development, Summerlin delivers more amenities than any other community in Southern Nevada.

These include more than 300 parks; resident-exclusive community centers, pools and events; 200-plus miles of interconnected trails; 10 golf courses; 26 public, private and charter schools; a public library and performing arts center; Summerlin Hospital Medical Center; houses of worship representing diverse faiths; office parks and neighborhood shopping centers.

Downtown Summerlin offers fashion, dining, entertainment, Red Rock Resort and office towers. City National Arena is home of the Vegas Golden Knights’ practice facility. The Las Vegas Ballpark is a world-class Triple-A baseball stadium and home of the Las Vegas Aviators.

Summerlin offers approximately 110 floor plans in over 20 neighborhoods throughout eight distinct villages and districts. Homes, built by many of the nation’s top homebuilders, are available in a variety of styles — from single-family homes to townhomes, priced from the $400,000s to more than $1 million.

For information on all actively selling neighborhoods, visit Summerlin.com. Before you visit, call the builders to check on hours of operation. Phone numbers of each neighborhood are on Summerlin.com.