Volunteering with The Salvation Army Good for Mental Health

For many, volunteering is a way to give back to their community, build confidence, find purpose, and increase happiness. For Ross Stuckless, volunteering with The Salvation Army has helped with his mental health.

After finishing his time with The Salvation Army as an officer in the late 80s, Ross became a crisis worker in St. John’s and Winnipeg. “That line of work can be so rewarding, but also very stressful, and it became a dark period of my life where I began to deal with anxiety and depression,” he shared.

Last year, when Corps Sergeant Major Silvia Tuck mentioned it would be her last year organizing the kettles for St. John’s West, Ross saw it as a sign to step up and become a coordinator.

“I was still struggling with my anxiety, and I worried that I would have a hard time filling kettle shifts and that I would not be able to do the job,” said Ross. “But I still felt drawn.”

“I get excited just talking about it. I cannot explain in words what volunteering with the kettle campaign has done for my mental health. It has been so fulfilling to connect with my community, and you can also feel the excitement in the community to give back.”

“Today’s news is filled with doom and gloom and darkness and pain, and then you go to the kettle and see firsthand the work we are doing, or you get a call from a volunteer saying, ‘When I see the generosity, I forget about the badness in the world.’ You know you are making a difference.”

Ross knows he made the right decision after a successful first year and no shortage of volunteers.

“My time on the kettle has just been a good fit!”

Today is the day you can make a difference. Register to volunteer with The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign!

When you volunteer with our kettle campaign, you are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises funds that sustain vital programming in your community at Christmas and throughout the year. We encourage you to speak to your local corps officer or kettle coordinator about getting involved or learn more at https://bit.ly/47GQnwhy

Every donation made to The Salvation Army stays in your community!

Donate today by visiting https://bit.ly/TSANLChristmas, calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or visiting a Christmas kettle in your community.