Mariano Rivera is regarded as one of the most dominant relievers in Major League Baseball history. Now, the hall of famer gives relief to thousands of children through the Mariano Rivera Foundation. This year, New Yorkers again have the opportunity to help in these efforts through the Giving Machines.
Rivera spent 19 seasons with the New York Yankees, and has long been involved in charitable causes around the United States, his native Panama and other countries by helping youth from low socioeconomic backgrounds with educational opportunities.
He is also a man of great faith, and he believes in the importance of working together to help God’s children. That’s why he says he feels so blessed to work with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Together, we can accomplish great things,” Rivera told the Church News this week.
The New York Giving Machines
“The Bible tells us giving is better than receiving,” Rivera said. “When you give from your heart, not waiting to receive something in return, that’s the greatest gift. We believe that and we do that.”
The red Giving Machines — located at Lincoln Center and Rockefeller Center in New York City — allow for that opportunity to give to others.
Giving Machines are like vending machines, but people buy something to give to someone else instead of for themselves through a donation to a participating nonprofit organization. The Mariano Rivera Foundation is one of the participating charities for the second year in a row.
“There’s an opportunity right there in the city for all New Yorkers to help others, including children. It’s there for everybody to give to a great cause,” Rivera said.
The Giving Machines expanded to 28 locations this year around the United States and the world. Since the effort began in 2017, total contributions have reached more than $15 million. The Church covers the operational costs, meaning the charity organizations receive 100% of the funds collected.
Giving back
The morning that Rivera spoke to the Church News, he had just come from the store, where he said a man approached him to thank him for the bags and school supplies he had received from the Mariano Rivera Foundation at a time when he was struggling to help his family.
“It was maybe 10 years ago, maybe more. He remembered it like it happened today,” Rivera said. “That’s what it is all about, just trying to change the life of one person, one family.”
A few years ago, Rivera met Elder David L. Buckner, an Area Seventy for the Church in New York. “We clicked just like that,” Rivera said. They’ve been in contact ever since, helping each other to help others in need.
Elder Buckner said: “As President Dallin H. Oaks taught during October 2022 general conference, there are a great many people of all faiths and no faith doing good in the world today. Mariano Rivera is one of them. It is inspiring to see how his deeply-held faith in God has motivated him to make a difference in meaningful ways. It’s been a blessing to contribute in a small way to the good work that he and his team are doing.”
In February 2020, Rivera received the Visionary Leadership Award at the New York Latter-day Saint Professional Association’s annual banquet at the Riverside Church in Manhattan.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was the keynote speaker, saying of Rivera: “He has donated 10 percent of his baseball salary to the foundation, plus all of his substantial earnings from endorsement deals. The Giving Back Fund ranked him 25th on its list of most-generous celebrity donors. When you think of all the celebrities around, that is quite an achievement.”
This Christmastime, through donations at the Giving Machines or giving in any other way, Rivera said people can really make a difference in others’ lives.
“Give back, especially in times like this. Give back to those in need. Children especially depend on us. Together we can accomplish a lot of things. If you haven’t given back yet, now is a great time to give to those in need.”
