Help Change Lives Through the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines

For the eighth straight year, the Church is sponsoring the #LightTheWorld initiative to encourage everyone to brighten up the Christmas season by following the example of Jesus Christ and showing love to others. Like last year, we can do this through the Light the World Giving Machines in Manila and Cebu.

These special vending machines, which allow people to spread kindness when they buy items that go to people in need, were launched last November 9 at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City and last November 16 at Ayala Center Cebu. Both machines will be available until January 3, 2024.

The Giving Machine in Trinoma will collect donations for Mabuhay Deseret, HERO Foundation, and Caritas Manila, while the one in Cebu will benefit UNICEF Philippines, Feed the Children, and Cebu Caritas. Last year, the same six organizations received 100% of the donations gathered through the machines, with a donation of P500,000.00 from the Church. “I know I also speak for the other organizations when I say how deeply grateful we are to be chosen again as partner beneficiaries of the Light the World Giving Machines this year,” expressed MGEN Victor Bayani, Executive Director of HERO Foundation.

Each partner organization has a set menu of gifts and services which donors can purchase. Items include eyeglasses for the visually-impaired, cataract post-op meds, eye surgery kits, student load allowance, shelter repair kits, psychosocial support resources, prosthetic leg kits, educational access for orphans, immunization for children, vitamin packs, and many others. The operational cost of the machines are shouldered by the Church, and all of the donations given through the machines are received by the beneficiary organizations in full.

“For 2022, the funds from the Giving Machines helped support UNICEF’s child protection programs. One of these initiatives include providing legal, medical and psychosocial services for children who have been victims of violence and abuse,” explained Maida Salcedo-Mission, Major Donor Officer of UNICEF Philippines. “Light the World and Latter-day Saint Charities have been a valuable contributor to UNICEF’s programs for children and families. The Church’s compassion and commitment continue to inspire the work that we do,” she added.

“The Lord Said, ‘… behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness (D&C 11:11),’” declared Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, Second Counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency, referring to the importance of the yearly Christmas initiative and the focus on the Savior. He emphasized the Lord’s counsel to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Mathew 5:16)” and explained that we help change lives when we light the world not just through the giving machines but also by our words, acts, and service from our hearts.

According to Kim Morrison, President of the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, the donations allow each partner organization to “help even more individuals in need to improve their lives and become self-reliant.” She is grateful to those who donated last year and would like to invite everyone to once again spread love through the Light The World giving machines “to help those in need to have brighter smiles, take first steps, and see with clear vision.”

Light the World this Christmas and make a difference in the lives of so many!