‘Tree of Lights' celebration kicks off 2025 Red Kettle season
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Thousands of spectators gathered Nov. 15 at Rice Park in downtown St. Paul for the 2025 Red Kettle Kickoff and the unveiling of The Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights – a 40-foot digital tree that features a new light and music show every week of the holiday season. (See event photos.) The tree will be on display nightly from 5–10 p.m. now through Jan. 6, bringing joy to all who see it.
The 4th annual kickoff event included many special guests, including Minnesota Vikings legend Cris Carter, Blaze Credit Union CEO Dan Stoltz, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, with live music from VocalEssance plus free cookies and hot chocolate provided by The Salvation Army.
The celebration marked the beginning of The Salvation Army’s 2025 Red Kettle season, with Cub grocery stores providing $25,000 worth of matching donations for gifts given at kettles in the Twin Cities over the weekend, plus another $25,000 gift from Blaze Credit Union.
“We want to jumpstart the Red Kettle campaign and the great work The Salvation Army does,” said Stoltz, who last year served as The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Community Chair. “This is a special night.”
It was a special night for NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter as well. He attended the tree lighting event in 2023 and liked it so much that he came back to help celebrate again.
“When I was a little kid growing up in southwest Ohio, The Salvation Army played a huge part in how we grew up,” he told the crowd. “During the holidays, The Salvation Army provided us meals, clothing, and spiritual counseling. So, I’ve always been fond of The Salvation Army – and now it’s about trying to help other little Cris Carters out there.”
Mayor Carter punctuated the event by lighting the tree as colorful fireworks exploded above. He also received a plaque to honor his support of the Red Kettle Kickoff the past four years.
The 2025 Tree of Lights was presented by these proud partners:
- Blaze Credit Union
- Cemstone
- Comcast
- Cub grocery stores
- Event company metroConnections
- Minnesota Wild
- St. Paul Downtown Alliance
- World Junior Hockey
- Xcel Energy
“The Tree of Lights is fast becoming a holiday tradition much like the Red Kettle, affirming our commitment to celebrating the season of peace, hope, and goodwill,” said Lt. Col. Randall Polsley, leader of The Salvation Army Northern Division.
2025 Red Kettle season
This holiday season, give joy to families in need by ringing bells for The Salvation Army. Sign up to ring.
Your time at a Red Kettle will be a huge help for local families who need food, shelter and care. Bell ringers typically raise about $100 per hour – enough to feed three families for week, or help save a family from eviction.
Bell ringing is fun and easy, with hundreds of kettle locations throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. Spread more joy by recruiting your friends, family and coworkers to join you.
Thousands of volunteer bell ringers are needed. Sign up now and help The Salvation Army provide a merry Christmas for people in need.
This Christmas season, support The Salvation Army by giving a donation or ringing bells at a Red Kettle. Your generosity will bring joy to local families in need.