Global Effort to ‘Light the World’ Generates Donations for Charities

Nearly 256,000 items have been purchased by the public in a global effort organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Light the World: One by One effort to donate to those in need during the 2019 Christmas season ran through December. This was the fourth year of the initiative and the third year that the red Giving Machines were used. 

Launch events were held at the popular Giving Machines placed in 10 locations in the United Kingdom, United States and Philippines.

The machines made it easy to donate to global charities such as UNICEF, Church World Service, WaterAid, Water For People and International Medical Corps. 

Nearly $6.3 million was generated for charitable organizations at the red machines. Donors swiped their credit cards in the machines thousands of times.

Items purchased included chickens, meals, vaccines, shoes and glasses.

The U.S. locations for the machines included Gilbert, Arizona; San Jose, California; Denver, Colorado; Laie (Oahu), Hawaii; Las Vegas, Nevada; New York City; and Orem and Salt Lake City, Utah. Worldwide, machines were placed in London, England, and Manila, Philippines.

Performers around the world joined the initiative by sharing messages through music.

The Light the World initiative garnered media attention in recent weeks, including coverage from outlets such as the Daily Mail in London.

Special Sunday Worship Service

Congregations throughout the Church held a special Christmas worship service on Sunday, December 22. The public was invited to attend the one-hour, Christ-centered meeting. For locations and schedules for services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please visit the meetinghouse locator on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Updated January 10, 2020