News Release

Special Giving Machines Are Back to Light the World This Christmas

People can now donate online

The Yuletide Season is all about giving, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is bringing back the Light the World Giving Machines. Beginning on Friday, 8 November, people can start doing instant acts of service by buying items for someone or a family in need through the trademark red giving machines. The first and only Giving Machines in Asia, they will be located at the 4th Level near Cinema 1 of TriNoma Mall, Quezon City.

Also coming back as charity partners are Caritas Manila and UNICEF Philippines. HERO Foundation joins as the third beneficiary of the Light the World Giving Machines.

 

Unlike a regular vending machine wherein someone buys to GET something, the Giving Machines allow anyone to GIVE. What makes the machines extra special is that donating is as easy 1-2-3.

Donors can select from the 24 products carefully chosen by the charity partners, tap the item they want on the screen, and insert the amount of the chosen item. Donors can then pick up the product card and drop it to the donation bin. It’s that simple.

Moreover, donating through the Giving Machines is not expensive. Options start at Php 50 contribution for a medicine kit or a home for a military orphan up to a Php 1,000 contribution for an earthquake go bag or vision therapy.

The Giving Machines are open from 8 November to 31 December during mall hours.

Light the World Online

People outside Metro Manila who want to donate can do so remotely, as the Light the World products are available on the Lazada flagship stores of Caritas Manila, UNICEF Philippines, and HERO Foundation. The products will be available from 30 October until 31 December.

About #Light the World

The #LightTheWorld is a Christmas initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It asks people to take the 25 days leading up to Christmas to perform acts of kindness and service to others in small and simple ways, just as Jesus Christ did when He walked the earth more than 2,000 years ago.

The Giving Machines allow people to make a difference in others’ lives instantly and easily. Now on its third year, the Light the World Giving Machines will expand to 10 locations across the world.

“This year we will be adding new locations for our Giving Machines,” said Elder Brent H. Nielson, General Authority Seventy. “This unique way to give not only blesses the life of the giver but also lifts the receiver in locations all around the world. Our hope is to offer opportunities to Light the World one by one.”

“These Giving Machines are an example of the big things that can happen when many people give just a little,” added Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president. “That is what it means to Light the World one by one—when we each give what we can offer, our little light adds to a brightness of hope.”

The Giving Machines will be open to the public in the following locations:

  • Manila, Philippines—November 8 (TriNoma Mall)
  • Las Vegas, Nevada—November 14 (Downtown Summerlin)
  • Laie, Oahu, Hawaii—November 20 (Polynesian Cultural Center)
  • Gilbert, Arizona—November 20 (Water Tower Plaza)
  • Salt Lake City, Utah—November 26 (Joseph Smith Memorial Building)
  • Orem, Utah—November 26 (University Place Mall)
  • Denver, Colorado—November 26 (Writer Square)
  • San Jose, California—November 29 (Christmas in the Park)
  • New York, New York—December 3 (Manhattan New York Temple)
  • London, England—December 3 (Hyde Park Visitors’ Centre)

Last year, the Giving Machines raised more than $2.3 million for local and global charities. Total donations for 2019 will be continuously updated throughout the season and will be available on www.LightTheWorld.org.

The machines will be available throughout the Christmas season. One hundred percent of all donations will go directly to partner charities for the purchased item or for items or services of greater need based on their discretion.

All administrative costs for this campaign and costs associated with its nonprofit partners are covered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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