Approximately 30,000 visitors across Canada participated in the Light the World Giving Machines initiative during the 2024 holiday season. The initiative, which first came to Canada (Calgary) in 2022, has expanded to three other Canadian cities: Lethbridge, Montréal and Toronto.
Over 12,800 item cards were purchased at five different locations across the country in support of 18 Canadian and four global non-profit organizations. The donated items included meals, winter clothing, books, games, toys, chickens and clean water, totalling over $334,000. To ensure that 100 per cent of donations went directly to non-profit organizations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covered all administrative and operational expenses.
Elder Dominic R. Sénéchal, an Area Seventy responsible for the North America Northeast Area, Montreal Co-ordinating Council, explained why the Church supports this initiative: “Giving matters, and it is a significant priority for the Church. We want to help and bless our local communities. We have been so grateful to partner with amazing community partners for this project. They are doing excellent work in our communities, and we want to support their efforts to help fellow Canadians. … More than the items purchased, it is the love behind these donations that truly matters.”
John Lafferty, director of immigrant services for Lethbridge Family Services, said, “Real change takes work, but we cannot do it alone. The incredibly kind and generous donation from the Giving Machine campaign will provide a crucial source of funding, and the most significant impact will be felt by the clients we serve. Every penny of the donated funds will go to them.”
Impact in Canada
The generous 2024 contributions will provide the following and more:
-
257,000 water purification tablets
-
56,000 meals for individuals and families in need
-
5,600 diapers
-
5,100 chickens to help recipients start a business and provide food for families and others
-
2,000 children will receive warm socks, boots or clothing
-
1,114 children will receive warm winter clothing, including gloves and hats
-
530 children will be vaccinated against infectious diseases
-
450 sets of pajamas will keep young children comfortable
-
315 maternity clinics will have clean, running water
Charity partners like Jennifer Lepko, chief development officer at Streets Alive Mission in Lethbridge, emphasized: “Many of us take for granted having new underwear, a toothbrush, or winter boots and gloves, but there are so many in our community who do not have these basic items. These donations do not go to Streets Alive Mission; they go through us to the most vulnerable.”
Global Initiative
The Light the World Giving Machines initiative launched in 2017 and continues to grow. Since their first appearance, nearly US$50 million (CA$71 million) has been donated worldwide. Each contribution is a small gesture of observance to the Saviour Jesus Christ’s commandment to “love one another” (John 13:34).
From November through December 2024, the bright red Light the World Giving Machines illuminated 107 cities across 13 countries on five continents, inspiring over 850,000 visitors globally to donate more than 490,000 items. Donations bring hope and support to millions of individuals and families each year who are fed, clothed, educated and strengthened to become more self-reliant as a direct result of Giving Machine donations.
Some 450 non-profits participated in this year’s initiative worldwide — more than all previous years combined. For the first time, Giving Machines appeared in Asia (Hong Kong) and Africa (Nairobi, Kenya).
Light the World: 490,000 Donations in 2024 Bring Hope to Many Worldwide
The annual Light the World Giving Machines initiative is a living miracle,” said >Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “This is such a beautiful and poignant way for the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and follow His example of love and service.”
The Light the World Giving Machines initiative will continue in the 2025 Christmas season. Until then, please visit GivingMachine.org to see how your gift is making a difference.