Partners in Doing The Most Good

November-December

Red Kettles are the most visible and remembered part of The Salvation Army’s holiday season. The money collected in each Kettle stays in the community in which it was given and is used to provide critical programs to individuals and families in need all year long.

This is normally a group and family-friendly opportunity. However, due to COVID-19, many of our retail partners are allowing only one volunteer at a time at a Kettle. Options can be discussed with your local Salvation Army officer or Service Unit staff.

Emergency Disaster Services volunteers help those who are affected by events beyond their control. Whether a fire, flood, severe weather or other disaster, our team supports everyone involved--victims, survivors, and first responders. We welcome all skills and backgrounds and provide training to all volunteers. You will get the opportunity to provide assistance to the people most affected by an emergency as well as gain useful knowledge of emergency situations.

Contact: EDS Offices (412) 922-4808 or Heather.Martin@use.salvationarmy.org

The Salvation Army offers Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to needy individuals and families at various locations throughout Western PA.  We offer a Christmas dinner at several Pittsburgh hotels on Christmas day. Individual community Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are offered at The Salvation Army’s Worship and Service Centers

Please visit our locations page to find your local contact.

Our Worship and Service Centers are a hub of activity and encompass both the church and social service components of The Salvation Army. Each location offers unique opportunities:

• After School Programs/Tutoring: Volunteers interact with school-age children by helping with homework, serving meals and participating in fun activities after school.
• Summer Day Camps: Volunteers assist staff with camp activities for children.
• Christmas Season: Be a bell ringer at a local Red Kettle Stand.
• Food Pantry: Help with stocking a pantry or distributing food.
• Special Projects: Volunteers may be needed periodically for small projects or fundraisers at our Worship and Service Centers.
• Community Care Ministries: Visit shut-ins in hospitals and nursing homes.
• Christmas Season: Be a bell ringer at a local Red Kettle stand or help to sort toys for needy children.

Please visit our locations page to find your local contact.

Smaller communities that cannot financially support a large-scale Worship and Service Center provide for needy families through Salvation Army Service Units. Staffed entirely by volunteers, help is needed for:

• Serving Families: Volunteers are needed to field phone calls, help with client intake assessments and distribute assistance.
• Fundraising: Service Units raise critical operating dollars through Red Kettle Campaigns, golf outings, and other special events.

Please visit our locations page to find your local contact.

November-December

Companies can place a tree at their place of business and “adopt” tags with the name, age and gender of a child in need to purchase Christmas gifts. In addition, companies may “adopt a family” to purchase Christmas gifts for vulnerable families. Volunteers are also needed to sort over 20,000 donated toys at our Green Tree Warehouse as well as various locations throughout Western PA.

Contact: Leah Cross at 412-446-1534 or Leah.Cross@use.salvationarmy.org regarding trees; or Cherie Hugh at 412-446-1637 or Cherie.Hugh@use.salvationarmy.org regarding sorting toys at the warehouse.

The WTAE-TV project Bundle-Up Telethon is our single largest fundraising event, live on Channel 4 in December. This event provides volunteer opportunities throughout the day, answering pledge calls, and assisting with set up, food and drink service.

Contact: Victoria Gill at 412-446-1638 or victoria.gill@use.salvationarmy.org

Benefiting WTAE-TV's project Bundle-Up, the festival takes place in the Strip District every October. Ping-pong balls are sold online and day of event with proceed benefitting project Bundle-Up. An enormous pumpkin is dropped in a pool and the ball that flies the furthest wins a prize. Volunteers are needed to help us staff the table, to collect donations and number the balls at the event from 11AM-5PM.

Contact: Victoria Gill at 412-446-1638 or victoria.gill@use.salvationarmy.org

Benefiting WTAE-TV's project Bundle-Up, this event takes place in wind, rain, sleet, or snow when nearly 1,000 individuals meet annually on the Mon Wharf and take the plunge. A New Year’s Day tradition in Pittsburgh… “Freezin’ for a reason.” The Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club and attendees jump into the Monongahela River to support WTAE’s project Bundle-Up. Project Bundle-Up sells t-shirts and towels at the event, from 8-10AM. Volunteers would help set up the booth, collect donations and sell the towels and shirts.

Contact: Victoria Gill at 412-446-1638 or victoria.gill@use.salvationarmy.org

We are looking for local people who are compassionate about helping others within their community by serving on  The Salvation Army’s local advisory board. Contact Fran Brace for more information.

Runway RePurposed benefits The Salvation Army Family Caring Center and promotes the idea that everyone and everything deserves a second chance to be something great! Local designers, boutiques, and students repurpose materials that were headed for the trash into wearable fashion, and these creative designs are modeled and judged in an amazing Fashion Show. The event is normally held in October, and Committee Members are asked to connect staff to persons and businesses who could donate to the silent auction, sponsor, or provide logistical resources, as well as to sell tickets by gathering a group of friends or co-workers to attend.  Visit runwayrepurposed.org or contact Cherie Hugh at 412-446-1637 or cherie.hugh@use.salvationarmy.org.