Tree of Lights

Tree of Lights (Nov 1, 2002 – Jan 31, 2003)

The Tree of Lights campaign is the major annual fundraising effort for The Salvation Army of St. Louis. Running from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 each year, the campaign raises approximately one-fourth of the Army’s year-round St. Louis operating budget. It also pays for our Christmas assistance programs, and is the symbol of The Salvation Army’s efforts to assist needy people in St. Louis and throughout the community.

This is the 55th year of the Tree of Lights campaign, which originated in St. Louis in 1947 (Tree of Lights history) and has now spread to many communities across the country. In St. Louis, all donations stay local, and 90 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to programs and services.

Through your generous donations, more than 45,000 toys will be distributed to children in low income families who might not otherwise receive a toy on Christmas. Your support also helps provide food to thousands of families and blankets to approximately 1,000 elderly and homebound individuals.

This year’s Tree of Lights chairman is Barry Beracha, chairman and chief executive officer of Sara Lee Baking Group and Executive Vice President of Sara Lee Corporation. .

Your financial support is critical to the success of the Tree of Lights campaign, but there are many additional ways to get involved and plenty of special events and promotions in which you can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Tree of Lights and The Salvation Army of St. Louis. We are Always Here and, with your help, we are making a significant difference in our community.

Quick Facts

In St. Louis 90 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to local services

90,381 nights of emergency shelter

277,570 total meals served (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

3,434 people served at the clinic

2,668 People served at resource centers