RACE, RELIGION + SOCIAL JUSTICE
Church “Light the World” campaign back again
Nov 28, 2018, 12:56 PM | Updated: Dec 5, 2018, 9:48 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A highly successful church giving campaign that started last year is back again on Temple Square, and it’s expanding.
Bright red vending “Giving Machines” were so successful last year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought them back again to Temple Square – and four other locations around the world. They are opening this week in the Phillippines, Gilbert Arizona, Hyde Park Visitors Center in London, and by the Manhattan LDS Temple.
The director of LDS Charities, Sister Sharon Eubank, says they are a way to Light the World this Christmas.
“There are thousands, millions of people all around the world, who care about people they’ve never met, and are willing to give something to them,” she said, as she showed how the machines work.
Charity partners include UNICEF, EyeCare4Kids, and the Utah Food Bank. You pick something to give, whether it’s food for a family of 4 or a goat or soccer ball or eyeglasses, pay for the pictured card in the machine, and the partner charities deliver it locally or around the world.
Eubank says last year, more than a half-million dollars was raised for charities from the local partners.
EyeCare4Kids President and founder Joseph Carbone says last year, they received enough money to help 2-thousand children get vision screenings, exams and eyeglasses.
“This is amazing, how the Church, along with the community, brings people together, and gives,” he said.
“I just hope we are willing to come and donate to others for this campaign, but we keep that feeling throughout the year,” said Sister Reyna Abuerto of the General Relief Society Presidency.
“These are acts of service that are simple and can lift up their neighbors,” said Sister Eubank.
