Salvation Army Launches Omaha Tree of Lights Drive

Jim Huerter and Jim Landen lead the holiday fundraising campaign, which opens with a 75-foot tree lighting on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy

Photograph of a tall evergreen tree wrapped in warm white lights glowing in an open city plaza at dusk, with a brick building and bare trees behind it. — The Salvation Army's Omaha Tree of Lights campaign, led by Security National Bank executives Jim Huerter and Jim Landen, opens with a 75-foot tree lighting Thursday, Nov. 5. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Jim Huerter and Jim Landen, executives at Security National Bank, are leading the Salvation Army's 2026 Tree of Lights holiday fundraising campaign in Omaha. The campaign begins with the lighting of a 75-foot tree at 90th and Dodge streets on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Why it matters

The Salvation Army's Omaha campaign is its largest annual fundraising effort in the city and supports operations through the holidays and into the new year. Its red kettles will appear around metro Omaha starting Friday, Nov. 6.

The Tree of Lights stands 75 feet tall, and co-chair Jim Landen's family has supported the Salvation Army for more than 60 years. The campaign's fundraising target has not yet been disclosed and will be revealed at the festival.

The players

Salvation Army

The international Christian charity known for its red kettle donation drives and social service programs across the United States.

Security National Bank

An Omaha-based bank whose executives Jim Huerter and Jim Landen are leading the Tree of Lights campaign this year.

The details

The Tree of Lights Family Festival runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 8990 W. Dodge Road, hosted by Associated Bank. It features live music, photos with Santa, free food and hot chocolate, face painting, balloon artists, and games alongside the tree lighting.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026: Tree of Lights campaign begins with the tree lighting.
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m.: Tree of Lights Family Festival takes place at Associated Bank.
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026: Red kettles begin appearing around metro Omaha.

Philanthropy Tradition

The Omaha campaign extends the Salvation Army's red kettle model, which has funded its holiday services for over a century. Corporate-sponsored events like the Tree of Lights are a common way local branches pair public visibility with year-end giving.

Omaha residents can attend the free Thursday festival for live music, photos with Santa, and food, or donate when kettles appear the next day. Gifts support Salvation Army operations through the holidays and into the new year.

The takeaway

Small local gifts add up during kettle season, and attending a community event like the Tree of Lights is an easy way to support the campaign while enjoying the holidays with family.

What happens next

The Tree of Lights Family Festival takes place Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 8990 W. Dodge Road, and red kettles begin appearing around metro Omaha on Friday, Nov. 6.