Cass County holiday volunteer opportunities

Holiday Mail for Heroes — Deadline Dec. 9

For a fifth year, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday cheer and greetings to service members, their families and veterans throughout the holiday season. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans the opportunity to send holiday greetings to our men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, many of whom will be far from home over the holidays, our nation’s veterans and their families. For more info visit redcross.org/holidaymail.

American Red Cross Holiday Toy Program:

Throughout the year the American Red Cross of North Central Indiana partners with local military families to provide a variety of resources and this holiday season is no different.  During this holiday season the American Red Cross wants to provide a special holiday delivery to local military kids.  Thanks to the generosity of donors through Operation Homefront the American Red Cross has been collecting toys from local Dollar Tree locations.  These toys, along with other donations, will be used to provide a tote bag for each child with a variety of small toys or other items for them.  The eligibility is simple – the child simply has to have a parent currently involved with the armed forces.  All branches are eligible and the parent can be active duty, National Guard or a reservist.  The parent does not have to be deployed, but preference will be given to families who currently have a member deployed in current operations.  The child also have to live in one of the six counties served by the American Red Cross of North Central Indiana which includes Cass, Grant, Howard, Miami, Tipton and Wabash Counties. To enroll your children, or to refer a family who could benefit from this program, simply call the American Red Cross Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (888)563-2658.  Individuals can also enroll by emailing holidaytoys@redcrossofnci.org  and requesting an enrollment form. The Red Cross will continue to accept enrollment forms until their inventory of toys are depleted. The packages of toys will be delivered between December 15th and Christmas Eve by local American Red Cross staff and volunteers.  Anyone wanting to get involved in this program by donating or volunteering time should contact the American Red Cross at the number above. 

Emmaus Mission Center

To adopt a family from the Emmaus Christmas assistance list please call

574-739-0731. This would involve buying an outfit for each on the list and some toys for the kids; Emmaus would need them back by the end of the first week of December.

Food Drives

Dec. 1 — Logan's Landing will collect donations from 4-8 p.m. during the Downtown Christmas Open House on Thursday, Dec. 1. Bring donations of non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army/Emmaus Mission Center and pet products for the Cass County Humane Society to the Depot and exchange them for tickets to win prizes from participating downtown merchants.

If your organization would like to add something to this list, submit the details here.