The Salvation Army's 'Christmas in July' is changing lives in St. Louis. Here's how you can play a part.

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4 days ago

Christmas in July? It might seem hard to reconcile chestnuts roasting on an open fire during a season of cooking bratwurst on the grill. Actually, Christmas in July is a longstanding tradition of The Salvation Army. We use the middle of summer to start preparing for winter, the greatest season of need for our marginalized neighbors.
Christmas in July also makes me think of the traditional story 'A Christmas Carol' and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. In the story, the future is shown as dark and bleak — the consequences of Scrooge's poor behavior. But that probable forecast is adjusted when Scrooge realizes the impact of his actions.
At The Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis, we often see the challenges our community is up against. We take our responsibility seriously in helping individuals and families find hope by providing them with tools, resources and training, care and spiritual connection. We focus on our seven core pillars of service — food, housing, material assistance and emergency disaster services, youth development, senior services, addiction and mental health, and anti-human trafficking.
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When we talk about our most vulnerable populations, public dialogue often focuses on things like nature vs. nurture and empowering vs. enabling, but my wild idea is simply that if we're able to serve the community — and in particular, serve children — we won't have to serve them when they're adults. Their future will be transformed — just like Scrooge's was. Their potential, perhaps elevated. Their belief in themselves, restored.
You see, in 2024, we provided Christmas gifts to more than 6,500 children in St. Louis City and County alone. We sent over 1,800 children and adults to summer camp at The Salvation Army's Camp Mihaska in Bourbon, Missouri, and even more to summer day camp at our Corps Community Centers. We saw more than 250 individuals through our Pathway of Hope program in St. Louis, which provides tailored services to families that desire to take action to break generational cycles of crisis and vulnerability.
Think about a summer camp experience, a homemade Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas with gifts under the tree. These are things many of us take for granted. And for a child, these experiences can be so meaningful and even formative. They can help them see the future, or a way to rise above their circumstances. They are filled with a spirit of hope they might not otherwise have.
Due to economic challenges and the recent tornadoes that have impacted the St. Louis area, we anticipate the number of families requesting assistance this Christmas to increase dramatically.
There are so many ways to get involved with The Salvation Army at Christmastime, and during the 11 other months of the year. This July, we would encourage you and your organization to show up for children in need in our community.
Host a toy drive. We have more than a dozen companies signed up to host toy drives, benefitting our Angel Tree Toy Town distribution. Collect in July, or start in the fall and collect through Christmas.
Donate toys. Don't want to donate in person? Buy gifts online from our Walmart and Amazon gift lists.
Volunteer. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization. Get your team or department together and sign up now to volunteer in December at Angel Tree Toy Town. You'll have the opportunity to 'shop' our toy store with parents and guardians, or inventory and stock donated items, changing the lives of local children.
Enjoy a movie and give back. During the month of July, the Galleria 6 Cinema will provide a free medium popcorn to anyone who drops off a toy donation valued at $5 or more.
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In addition, on July 11 and 18, you can join The Salvation Army for Movie Nights on the Plaza at Westport Plaza. Drop off a new toy, meet our mascots and receive giveaways before enjoying a movie on the lawn with your family or friends.
Based on the musical stylings of Mariah Carey, 'all (we) want for Christmas is you' and your organization to show up for the kids in our community who so desperately need this glimmer of hope. How will you show up this year?
Visit salarmy.us/STLAngelTree for opportunities to get engaged.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.