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When we think about Christmas, we often think about love—love that came to Earth as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and love that compels us to give freely to those around us.
And today, we’re exploring how The Salvation Army is brightening the holidays by sharing that love across the Western United States.
Listen and subscribe to the Do Gooders Podcast now. Below is a transcript of the episode, edited for readability. For more information on the people and ideas in the episode, see the links at the bottom of this post.
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Before we dive into our stories, let me share a special resource we have for you this season – a classic Advent Paper Chain. It’s a simple but profound way for families to focus on love during the holiday season—and it is not too late to join in. Each link in this 25-day printable paper chain represents a different aspect of love: receiving God’s love, loving our neighbors, loving our city, and loving our world. Because at Christmas, love doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t pick and choose. When others flee, love runs toward. And when darkness prevails, love doesn’t despair.
And that’s exactly what we see in these nine remarkable stories of hope and giving.
Let’s start in Coos Bay, Oregon, where 93-year-old Verena Matthews embodies this kind of persevering love. Back in 1987, frustrated that no women’s service organization had ever won the coveted Salvation Army Kettle Cowbell award, she decided to challenge the status quo.
Her love for her community drove her to think creatively. She positioned kettles at all three doors of the local Fred Meyer store, and brought music, children, and even pets to create a welcoming atmosphere. The result? Of the $25,000 raised by all service organizations that year, Zonta raised more than $6,000. At the time, it was the best Red Kettle campaign Coos Bay had ever seen. Today, at 93, Matthews continues to serve as Kettle Ambassador, living by her father’s wisdom that “the world has to be a better place because you lived.” As she says, “Hope is like a hug to the heart.”
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That same spirit of love in action shines through in Phoenix, where a chance encounter led to thousands of children having a brighter Christmas.
When construction industry Nox Group President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Ayres noticed volunteers removing “forgotten angel” tags from a marketplace Christmas tree, he didn’t just take a few—he took all 450 tags.
That first year, those across Nox Group’s enterprise scrambled to fulfill every wish within just six hours, showing that when love sees a need, it doesn’t hesitate.
“We split up the tags and hit all the Targets and Walmarts we could go to and made it happen,” he said, noting they delivered within five minutes of the deadline, but fulfilled all the tags.
This year? They’re taking care of nearly 3,000 children with some 7,000 wish list items, from skateboards to scooters, and transforming their company’s basketball court into a temporary North Pole.
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Speaking of the North Pole, can you imagine having Santa on speed dial?
In Sacramento, that’s exactly what The Salvation Army has in Major Rio Ray, known affectionately as “Mr. Christmas.”
Standing at 6’3″, this Corps Officer (or pastor) doesn’t just dress up as Santa—he fully embraces the role, even dying his beard white for the season. Through his joyful service, he shares God’s love with everyone he meets. Last year alone, his efforts helped distribute over 10,000 toys to more than 6,000 local children.
Major Ray said he likes engaging with people and telling them The Salvation Army story—people he might not encounter the rest of the year.
As he said, “I love the fact that we also get to help people help others. Because there’s somebody who wants to be part of something, and they can be part of us during Christmas and they know they’ve made a difference.”
And on the last day of bellringing? You might catch Major Ray in an elf costume, performing a special dance for every $20 donation, because as he says, “It always feels good to give out toys and food, but it’s better to give out joy and hope.”
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That joy and hope is not just for children but extends to all ages through the Golden Angel Tree program in Salt Lake City. It ensures seniors aren’t forgotten during the holidays and that they too wake up to find presents beneath a twinkling tree on Christmas morning.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree program has brought gifts to children across the U.S. since 1979. As you know, angel tags are placed on Christmas trees in public spaces, where donors can select a tag and shop for a specific child. For more than a decade, the Golden Angel tree here has operated in a similar way using the same trees.
The program reached approximately 1,400 seniors across 20 care homes last year, providing everything from warm blankets to personal care items, and it’s happening again this season.
For residents like Nancy Jensen, these thoughtful gifts are a reminder that she is loved. “I don’t have family around so I don’t expect to get much of anything for Christmas,” she said. “It’s a nice feeling to know others are thinking about you.”
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Down in Turlock, California, love arrives on two wheels.
Each December, hundreds of bikers roar into the Salvation Army parking lot, delivering thousands of gifts for local children.
This year marks the 6th annual toy run as motorcycle clubs from California’s Central Valley not only bring some 2,000 toys but also adopt 10-15 families directly.
As Corps Officer Captain Jeffrey Breazeale says, “These bikers, the camaraderie and the love that they have for the community is second to none.”
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Behind the scenes at a Bell, California, warehouse, hundreds of volunteers work tirelessly for three weeks, sorting and organizing toys in collaboration with Toys for Tots.
The partnership ensures no child goes without a gift on Christmas morning, with corps leaders able to supplement their Angel Tree programs as needed.
As Christmas Warehouse coordinator Dennis Kopczak said, “It’s a large undertaking that requires a lot of planning but it’s worth it because it guarantees that kids have presents under the tree on Christmas morning.”
A tangible love wrapped up with a festive bow.
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Up in the Northwest Division, in and around Seattle, love extends beyond the holiday season through a new initiative called “Christmas Champions.”
Thirty dedicated lead volunteers work to spread cheer, rally donations and bellringers for The Salvation Army and keep the spirit of giving alive year-round.
The goal is to positively impact fundraising and friend-raising, according to Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley.
One of these champions is Tracie Dalke, who found her way to this role through her own journey of recovery at the Seattle Adult Rehabilitation Program. Now she’s using her experience to inspire others, spreading the message that, “One simple hour of someone’s time can make a huge difference in the lives of many.”
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In Hawaii, love takes flight through a special group known as Christmas Angels. These young adults participate in The Salvation Army’s Revolution Hawaii spiritual life development program. But during the holiday season, they spread their wings across the Hawaiian islands, bringing help and hope wherever needed.
Like real angels carrying messages of joy, these 18-25-year-olds disperse to Salvation Army units throughout Hawaii, ringing bells at kettles, helping with Angel Tree distributions, and sharing the spirit of aloha with all they meet.
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And speaking of Christmas angels, in Anchorage, Alaska, The Salvation Army Clitheroe Center is reclaiming the magic of the season for those on the journey of recovery.
While Christmas can sometimes be a challenging time for participants in residential rehabilitation programs, the Clitheroe Center has created a beautiful tradition that brings new joy to the season.
They call it “The 12 Days of Clitheroe”—their own heartwarming spin on the classic Christmas carol. In the two weeks leading up to their Christmas celebration, each program within the center crafts their own custom lyrics to the familiar tune.
As Assistant Clinical Manager Shalom So’O shares, “The song is funnier and funnier every year,” with participants weaving in everything from their program phases to Salvation Army history.
But the music is just the beginning. The center’s Christmas celebration includes festive holiday pajamas, a special Christmas meal, and a party complete with carols. It’s a reminder that while they might not have a partridge in a pear tree, they have something even more valuable—a supportive community and a chance to create new, joyful holiday memories.
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Clearly, from paper chains to motorcycle runs, from construction workers to Christmas Champions, these stories show how The Salvation Army brings love to life during the holiday season.
Each story represents countless individuals choosing to run toward need, to fight for good and to give without expectation.
Like each link in our Advent Paper Chain, these stories remind us that love takes many forms. Sometimes it’s a bellringer braving the cold, sometimes it’s a biker delivering toys, and sometimes it’s a construction company transforming their basketball court into Santa’s workshop.
But always, it’s about sharing the extraordinary love that first came to earth as a baby in a manger.
To join our Advent Paper Chain journey or read the full inspiring story for each of the highlights I’ve shared, visit caringmagazine.org.
Just as the angels first proclaimed the good news of Christmas to humble shepherds, The Salvation Army continues to share that same message of love and hope today.
With that in mind, here’s a Salvation Army rendition of “The First Noel,” celebrating the announcement of love coming down to earth, and proclaiming the good news of Christ’s birth.
Merry Christmas!
Additional resources:
- If you are one of the hopefuls, get on the list for the Do Good Digest, our free 3-minute weekly email newsletter used by more than 20k+ hopefuls like you for a quick pick-me-up in a busy day.
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- If you want to help The Salvation Army serve more than 24 million Americans in need each year, give today. Your gift of money, goods or time helps The Salvation Army do good all year in your community.
Listen and subscribe to the Do Gooders Podcast now.
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