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

Nearly 159,000 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 officially began on December 1 and runs through the end of the month. This is the fourth year of the initiative.

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

Nearly 159,000 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 officially began on December 1 and runs through the end of the month. This is the fourth year of the initiative.

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

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

To date, nearly $3.9 million has been generated for the charitable organizations at the red machines. Donors have swiped their credit cards in the machines more than 100,000 times.

Items purchased have included nearly 63,000 chickens, about 1.6 million meals, nearly 955,000 vaccines, more than 3,500 pairs of shoes and more than 7,200 pairs of glasses.

The U.S. locations for the machines include 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 have been placed in London, England, and Manila, Philippines.

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

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

Special Sunday Worship Service

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