Redevelopment commission renews license for 'Giving Machines' at Christkindl Market

The Carmel Redevelopment Commission voted to approve a renewed license agreement with Light the World to continue hosting “Giving Machines” at the Christkindl Market site along the Monon. Director (speaker 3) said the program last year “was a smashing success” and that the arrangement will continue unless the commission cancels the contract.

The director listed charities slated to benefit from the machines, including Trinity Free Clinic (based in Carmel), Julian Center, Hamlin County Harvest Food Bank, Wish for Our Heroes, Christa Morehouse, Mentors International and Water for Good. “These machines allow you to essentially select which charity you wanna donate money to and allows you to just give gift right there that benefits a good cause,” the director said.

Commission members asked about the machines’ location and the charity-selection process. The director said the devices will be sited near the underground steps on the Monon—outside the Christkindl Market footprint but in the vicinity—and that Light the World provided a vetted list of charities; the vendor agreed to include additional Carmel-specific charities after a request from the commission.

President/Chair (speaker 2) moved approval of the license; the director seconded and the commission approved the motion by voice vote. The commission’s action authorizes the director to proceed with the license under the terms presented. The contract requires the vendor to submit each year’s charity list for commission review.

The director said the mayor supported continuing the program. The commission took no additional conditions on the agreement at the meeting.