Give Back This Christmas With Light The World Giving Machines Now In Manila and Cebu

From the successful run last year of the Light The World Giving Machines organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are brought back in Manila and Cebu to reach out to more generous people who want to share and change the lives of many this holiday season.

Being a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the season is known to be the time to share the blessings that we have received throughout the year. Last year, they have set up these machines located in Festival Mall Alabang and Ayala Center Cebu attended by celebrities like Eric and Rona Tai, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Xia Vigor, and Jarius Aquino.

These "vending machines" look like the usual ones we see to get snacks and drinks yet these ones are made special because what the customers will get are pledge cards that indicate a specific need like food, scholarship, and other types of aid that is linked to the charities that the church has partnered with.

Items that are available through the Giving Machines this year include food packs, hygiene kits, educational materials, student financial aid, emergency and repair kits, multivitamins, eyeglasses and eye-care packages, medical kits, water kits, crutches, wheelchairs, immunization packages, and psychosocial support, among others.

Officially launched last Nov 9 at Ayala Malls Trinoma, the machines are strategically placed in a high traffic area which is eye-catching and also enticing to see specially with their big red casings. Another Giving Machine will be hosted by Ayala Center Cebu, and its launch will be held on November 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM, on Level 3 (between Casa Verde and Dessert Factory). All Giving Machines will be available during mall hours until January 1, 2024.

Something new this year is that these machines aside from cash, they can now accept eWallets like GCash and Alipay which is very convenient now that more are going cashless.

They have consistently partnered with participating nonprofit organizations such as Caritas Manila, Caritas Cebu, Feed The Children, Inc., HERO Foundation, Inc., Mabuhay Deseret Foundation and UNICEF for this project.

Since 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has hosted Giving Machines in the Philippines, one of just six countries worldwide to do so every Christmas season. To date, the Giving Machines have collected over US$22 million in donations for many beneficiaries across the globe. 

The Church also covers all operational costs for every donated item made through the Giving Machines, ensuring that 100 percent of every donation goes to the recipients. And as a special gift for select donors this year, some product cards inside the Manila Giving Machines will contain unique Tabernacle Choir stickers. Donors can trade these stickers for special tickets for the upcoming February 2024 concert of the Choir in the Philippines.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, established in 1847, is a world-renowned choir that has performed at many prestigious events, including US Presidential inaugurations. Currently, the Choir is on its first-ever world tour, with the Philippines as its second stop after Mexico.

The church and its organizers are positive that they make a new record of donations that will greatly benefit a lot of people which also let the people experience the joy of giving in a creative way. Children can also learn these values with this fun activity that they can also do with the family and friends. Thus, the spirit of Christmas is truly felt as what Jesus Christ would have wanted as well.