“The Light the World initiative and its Giving Machines have shown us that year after year, simple acts of kindness spark a brightness that affects an entire community,” said Elder Gary E. Stevenson, who helped unveil the Light the World Giving Machine inside Union Station in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Tammy Reid, whose husband, Andy, is head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Tavia Hunt, whose husband, Clark, is the chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs, acted as hosts and emcees at the event.
This is the fifth year that the Light the World Giving Machine has come to Kansas City. This year’s machine will benefit nine charities — seven local and two global.
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“Last year, over 850,000 people visited Giving Machines around the world, purchasing 450,000 different items,” said Elder Stevenson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shared a video showing how Giving Machine donations for African Girls Hope Foundation helped young African girls ages 6 to 18 years old to stay in school.
Elder Stevenson explained that the Light the World initiative is rooted in the biblical teaching of Jesus Christ, who declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
“His light was never meant to be admired from afar. It was meant to be shared,” he said. “When we give, whether it be through a machine, a donation, or even just a kind act, we become His light. When entire communities choose to serve together, ... that light becomes just impossible to ignore. Thank you to everyone who continues to bring Christ’s light to the world, one act of love at a time. May we keep that light burning always.”
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Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe speaks during an event to launch the Light the World Giving Machines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints inside Union Station in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, November 22, 2025.“There are so many little ways that we can put our love into action,” Bishop James V. Johnston, Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, said. “The Giving Machine is a beautiful way for us to do that. … It’s a way for us together as a community to express our love and our support, especially for those who might be struggling.”
In his comments, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said that he and his five siblings were raised by a single mother, who managed with help from charities like those included in this year’s Giving Machine.
“We didn’t have a lot of material things,” he said. “We had a lot of love, we had great faith, we had our parish, our church, and that’s how we got through life. That’s what the Giving Machine does. It spreads something …, and that’s the word ‘hope.’ What that machine does for families, like it would have done for our family, means more than you can imagine.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed gratitude on behalf of the families in Kansas City who will be helped.
“The help that you’re giving with Giving Machines, the cheer that you spread, and more than anything, the heart that you are dedicating to our community and so many others is changing lives in Kansas City and around the world,” he said. “It’s making a better and stronger Christmas for all of us and is at the core of the Christmas spirit.”
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From left: Santa Claus; Elder Michael Ortiz, an Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Church of Latter-day Saints; Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Bishop James V. Johnston, Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, pose for a photo during an event to launch the Light the World Giving Machines inside Union Station in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, November 22, 2025.Elder Michael Ortiz, an Area Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ, encouraged people to also visit the digital Giving Machines all around Kansas City. “The impact we can have on our community is tremendous, as you can see in the faces of these charities. I love seeing the difference that you make in your contributions. I love seeing how grateful these organizations have been for all the generous contributions and love that you’ve given them.”
Additional guests during the event included Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt and leaders of the local charities that are highlighted in the Giving Machine this year.
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Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Leesa (second and third from the left), pose with state and local leaders and charity representatives during an event to launch the Light the World Giving Machines inside Union Station in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, November 22, 2025.Local nonprofit beneficiaries include:
- Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph
- The Halo Foundation
- Happy Bottoms
- Harvesters The Community Food Network
- Hillcrest Transitional Housing
- Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund
- Science City at Union Station
The global charities for this year are Days for Girls and Care International.
“It felt so good to be part of something that is snowballing here in Kansas City,” said Leisel Malan, a Latter-day Saint from the Liberty, Missouri Stake, who attended the event with her children. “It was encouraging to see the support from our civic leaders for something that holds such positive blessings for the community.”
