Downtown Summerlin celebrates season of giving

The Giving Machine, the popular “vending machine” that works in reverse by giving users an opportunity to purchase a variety of much-needed items for local and global charities via the swipe of a credit or debit card, returned to Downtown Summerlin this month where it will remain through year’s end. Las Vegans can make donations at The Giving Machine by purchasing items for local nonprofits that range from $5 to $250 and include staples such as meals, clothing, diapers and formula, books and car seats. For the global charities, items include goats, clubfoot braces, prenatal vitamins and refugee support to name a few. Local nonprofit beneficiaries this year include Catholic Charities, Three Square, Foster Kinship, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley and Spread the Word. Global nonprofits include CARE.org, Medicine For All People International and Clubfoot Solutions.

Now, in its seventh year, the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have raised more than $33 million for local and global charities. This year, the machines will be in 106 cities worldwide, including Las Vegas at Downtown Summerlin. Last year, $227,311 was donated at The Giving Machine located in Downtown Summerlin to support local charities.

The all-new Santa Chalet, presented by Tri Pointe Homes and located in the Macy’s Promenade, is open daily through Christmas Eve. At the Chalet, kids can drop off letters to Santa, and for every letter received, Downtown Summerlin will donate $1 to Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides disadvantaged children free shoes and socks along with other essential items.

And returning this year is Lights for Flights — a fun activation featuring seven giant lighted words or phrases spread throughout Downtown Summerlin: LOVE, JOY, HOPE, PEACE, SOAR, MIRACLE and I LOVE YOU. The perfect holiday background for Instagram-worthy holiday moments, the signs generate awareness and funds for Las Vegas-based national nonprofit Miracle Flights that provides free commercial flights to children who need assistance to reach life-changing medical care unavailable in their local communities. Guests have an opportunity to donate to Miracle Flights through QR codes on each sign.

On Nov. 23, a new event at Downtown Summerlin takes place, the Wine Flights Holiday Wine Walk, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event benefits Miracle Flights and will feature 14 different tasting stations offering red, white and sparkling options. Tickets are available at Wine Flights | Miracle Flights.

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

Now, in its 34th year of development, Summerlin offers more amenities than any other Southern Nevada community. These include 300-plus parks of all sizes; 200-plus miles of interconnected trails; resident-exclusive community centers; 10 golf courses; 26 public, private and charter schools; a public library and performing arts center; Summerlin Hospital Medical Center; houses of worship representing a dozen faiths; office parks; and neighborhood shopping centers. Downtown Summerlin offers fashion, dining, entertainment, Red Rock Resort and Class-A office buildings, City. National Arena is home of the NHL’s Golden Knights practice facility. Las Vegas Ballpark is a world-class Triple-A baseball stadium and home of the Aviators.

In total, Summerlin offers nearly 100 floor plans in approximately 20 neighborhoods throughout eight distinct villages and districts. Homes, constructed by many of the nation’s top homebuilders, are available in a variety of styles — from single-family homes to town homes, priced from the mid-$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 for each neighborhood are at Summerlin.com.