With a long-awaited chill in the air, online grocery orders of turkey and sweet potatoes, and lights twinkling in our neighborhoods, ‘Tis the Season, St. Louis! There is something about this time of year that naturally makes us want to give back and help others.
Volunteering benefits not only those we serve, but it also benefits us. Families bond over volunteer opportunities, our kids learn and grow from them, and it fills our hearts like nothing else.
Recently, the need to help in our city became even greater. St. Louis took a direct hit from devastating tornadoes, and parts of our town still have a long way to go in the recovery process. Seeing firsthand the devastation, knowing that our neighbors need help and that we all are just one incident away from needing help ourselves, makes the call to help this holiday season resonate even deeper. For many of us, once the news stopped reporting on the tornadoes, we stopped thinking about it. But for too many of our neighbors, it’s been a daily struggle every day since.
When I think of volunteering during the holiday season, the first organization I think of is The Salvation Army. My kids and I have been dropping coins in the iconic red holiday kettles for years. When my kids were little, it was a quick and easy way for them to feel connected. They felt like they were doing something good, and with the red kettles right outside Schnucks and Dierbergs, there was no effort needed on my part to participate.
My kids are now older and aware that there is more that we can do. Giving money is always appreciated and has a quick impact, but giving time and actually putting hours into volunteering is more achievable for my family now. The Salvation Army has opportunities for families, even with little ones, to give their time. Those bell ringers we ran up to with nickels and dimes tightly clutched in our mittens? We can be the ones ringing the bells, collecting coins and good intentions of others, inspiring them to give what they can!
The Salvation Army is so much more than garland festooned kettles. They have an Army Angel Tree Toy Town Program every holiday season with so many opportunities to help. Whether you know of an organization that can host an Angel Tree or a toy drive, or you are able to buy items from individual wish lists, there are many ways to have an impact. You can even help distribute the toys and gifts directly to families. A quick click on a link will take you directly to Gift Lists, allowing you to add-to-cart and purchase in minutes— or you can load up the car and shop in stores, physically selecting items for others. This is a great option when you have a specific budget to spend, as you select the items from the list directly. Anyone interested in hosting a toy drive can fill out a quick form on their website as well.
To find opportunities to help, register on the Missouri + Southern Illinois Angel Tree Toy Town + Red Kettle Kickoff Volunteer page. The Salvation Army makes it as easy as possible to connect and make a difference!
If you have the means to give on a larger level, bring on the holiday spirit and kick off the season at the Salvation Army Annual Red Kettle Kickoff and Tree Lighting on November 22, 2025 from 3 – 6 pm at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. Through this event, share a meal, view the Tree of Lights in Kiener Plaza, and be lifted up by the music of artist Blessing Offor. Buy individual tickets or gather up family and friends to fill an entire table.
The Salvation Army makes it easy to give during the holiday season and easy to find help if you are in need. Make this season more meaningful and magical with your family by finding ways to volunteer. As a mom with older kids, I can promise you that the opportunities to give shine as brightly in their memories as the gifts they received. ‘Tis the Season, St. Louis!
