Light the World Giving Machines are in 107 cities in 13 countries on five continents during the 2024 Christmas season, and several celebrities and athletes have taken to social media to comment on the large, vending-like machines that users can choose items to donate, instead of purchasing a drink or snack.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened the first Giving Machines opened at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City Utah in 2017
Comedian Nate Bargatze invited people in Nashville, Tennessee, to visit Light the World Giving Machines.
“In just seconds you can purchase essential items for people right here in our community,” he said in the video shared on Instagram.
BYU and NBA basketball legend Jimmer Fredette promoted the machines along with GivingMachineSeattle on Instagram.
Fredette said he and his family visit the machines every year and plan to do the same this year in Denver, Colorado.
Another reel on Instagram shows him and his wife at the Giving Machines in Denver with dogs from one of the charities available to donate to in the Denver area, Canine Partners of the Rockies.
A standout soccer player for the U.S. women’s national team and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Portland Thorns, Olivia Moultrie joined actor and comedian Jon Heder at the unveiling of Giving Machines in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Washington Square Mall.
Actor Kirby Heyborne shared a video on Instagram promoting the opening of Giving Machines in Orem, Utah.
Several members of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL team shared videos online in support of the Giving Machines, including tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“You know how much I love to give back to this community and this holiday season we have a fun way that we all can give back,” Kelce said in an Instagram reel. “Make someone else’s Christmas or holidays that much better.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and his wife, Tammy Reid, appear in a short video announcing the Giving Machines returning to Kansas City.
Also, in Kansas City, twin dancing brothers Luke and Paul Harwerth appear in an Instagram post dancing in front of Giving Machines with a song by the Bonner Family. The Bonner family — a family who performs together — also helped launch Giving Machines in California in 2018.
“Jeopardy!” game show host Ken Jennings appeared in a video for the Giving Machines in Seattle, Washington, and said he had a deep love of vending machines, especially the Giving Machines.
“If you’re wondering how to spread a little light during this dark holiday season, the correct response: ‘what are Giving Machines?’” he said, harking back to the “Jeopardy!” style of answering trivia questions with a question.
