As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving comes alive in St. Louis through The Salvation Army’s iconic programs. The Red Kettle Campaign includes key opportunities to give back, such as Angel Tree Toy Town distribution, in which volunteers play a critical role in helping families facing financial and personal challenges celebrate the season with hope and joy.
Volunteer opportunities that make a real impact
For many, the Red Kettle Campaign is a holiday tradition and a powerful way to give back. Volunteers stand outside local retailers, ringing bells to collect donations. It may seem like a simple task, but “just two hours of volunteering can help us raise enough money to feed a family of four for a week,” says Major Adam Moore, general secretary and Greater St. Louis area commander.
Interested volunteers can sign up online at RegisterToRing.com and choose the time and location that works best for them.
Another core piece of The Salvation Army’s holiday work is the Angel Tree program. This year’s Angel Tree Toy Town runs December 15–18 at The Salvation Army’s St. Ann warehouse, providing Christmas gifts to more than 6,500 children across the city and county.
Families who qualify for assistance can “shop” for their children for free, guided by volunteers acting as personal shoppers. Each child receives gifts tailored to their age and needs, and families receive a food voucher to help ensure a special holiday meal. Volunteers are also needed in the weeks leading up to the event to help inventory and organize the toy collection. Learn more on The Salvation Army’s volunteer website.
Local companies join the mission
Cass Commercial Bank, a subsidiary of Cass Information Systems, Inc., has been part of the St. Louis community since 1906, when it was founded as a neighborhood bank. Those local roots have deeply influenced the company’s long-standing culture of giving and its understanding of the unique needs within the community.
“Giving back isn’t an obligation; it’s part of who we are,” says Dwight Erdbruegger, president of Cass Commercial Bank. “Our charitable giving reflects our dedication to families, sustainability, and strong communities. These priorities align closely with the mission of The Salvation Army. By supporting initiatives that provide hope, stability, and essential services to those in need, we help build a better future: one rooted in compassion, dignity, and long-term impact.”
Cass continues to demonstrate that commitment through both financial support and hands-on involvement. The company invests more than half a million dollars annually in charitable initiatives, and its employees contribute more than 1,000 volunteer hours each year to organizations across the St. Louis area. One of the most memorable ways that Cass employees serve is by bell ringing during The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, an experience that encourages meaningful community connection while supporting those in need.
Cass Commercial Bank has approximately 70 employees based in St. Louis, and its parent company, Cass Information Systems, employs around 400 people locally. Erdbruegger says their hope is to help create “a stronger, more inclusive St. Louis, where every individual has access to the resources they need to succeed.”
Ameren, Edward Jones, Garda World, Commerce Bank and Trust, Guarantee Electrical, Schnucks, Tarlton Corporation, the Marian Foundation, Dierbergs, the Crawford Butz Insurance Agency, and Two Men and a Truck are also major partners and sponsors of this year’s Red Kettle Campaign.
The Seven Pillars of Service
While holiday programs are highly visible, the Salvation Army’s work in St. Louis extends throughout the year. Its mission is anchored in seven pillars: feeding programs, housing, youth services, senior services, material assistance (including utility and rent support and disaster relief), anti-human trafficking initiatives, and addiction recovery and mental health.
A recent focus has been supporting survivors of human trafficking through a newly opened drop-in center in St. Louis, addressing a serious local and statewide concern.
Stories of hope and community
Beyond the programs themselves, volunteers and donors witness inspiring personal stories.
Last year, a woman who had received assistance for her children while incarcerated returned to volunteer at Angel Tree, giving back to a program that brought her family hope in a dark time. Another individual shared that the support she received from the program gave her a reason to carry forward during a moment of personal crisis.
These stories reflect the profound impact that community involvement can have, far beyond the holiday season.
Get involved
The Salvation Army encourages anyone looking to make a difference to volunteer, donate, or participate in one of its programs. In addition to bellringing and Angel Tree, volunteers can help with toy inventory or provide support through dozens of other year-round volunteer opportunities. Donations of toys can be made at local drop-off locations or through Amazon and Walmart wish lists.
Every dollar raised in St. Louis stays local, with 90 cents of every dollar going directly to services that support children, families, and individuals in need. Every gift of time, talent, or support helps make Christmas possible for local families.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of The Salvation Army. For more information, visit the Angel Tree website, or sign up to become a volunteer bellringer on Register to Ring.
