Giveaway Time for #LightTheWorld

Photo: A water bottle with a red #LightTheWorld label is held in front of a Christmas tree

Last night, John purchased a bottle of water from a giving machine. Just what is a giving machine, you ask? It looks like a vending machine, but there's a twist: you put in your money and then select an item that will be donated through a charitable organization. While he did actually receive a bottle of water, 100% of the money he gave will go to charity. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is covering the administrative costs of this campaign, as well as the costs to the charities.)

Photo: A red #LightTheWorld giving machine. (Image courtesy of Boncom)

The giving machines are operating in five different locations: Salt Lake City, Utah; New York City, New York; Gilbert, AZ; London, England; and Manila, Philippines. The international charities that benefit are care.org, unicef.org, WaterAid, and Water for People. Giving machines in each location also partner with local charities. Here in Utah, those charities are the Utah Food Bank, Utah Refugee Connection, and Eye Care 4 Kids. 

The unveiling of the machines last night was in preparation for the #LightTheWorld campaign, which officially kicks off on December 1st with a worldwide day of service. Then for each of the next 4 weeks, the initiative will concentrate on different themes: Light the World, Light Your Community, Light Your Family, and Light Your Faith. 

I'm super excited for this weekly approach to the idea of lighting the world! I'm also delighted that of the people I have approached, all have agreed to share guest posts with us. I'm looking forward to learning about how they light the world. Some of them will probably be familiar to you; others will be new friends. Nancy of Wyoming Breezes will be our first guest, and her post will publish on Monday, December 3rd. You won't want to miss it!

Finally, I'm thankful for LDSBookstore, who has graciously provided me with some beautiful #LightTheWorld Christmas ornaments to offer as a giveaway to you, my readers! The first giveaway starts now, and will end at midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning. Be sure to enter below, and good luck!
(Unfortunately, as I'm not terribly familiar with rules regarding giveaways, I have limited the giveaway to residents of the United States. My apologies to my international readers!)

Photo: A clear acrylic circle ornament, with small white stars and snowflakes, and the words "Light The World," with a larger star 

Photo: A wooden circle ornament, with the same design as the acrylic ornament  

I don't know which ornament I prefer; they are both beautiful. Do you have a preference? How do you light the world?

Update: Though I had planned on offering weekly giveaways, since no one entered the 2nd one, I decided to just have Rafflecopter pull the other winners from this first giveaway. Congratulations to the winners: Dynal, Kasey, and Kelly!


a Rafflecopter giveaway