October is almost over, which means the holiday season is fast approaching. If you’re looking to start checking items off of your shopping list a little early, don’t miss out on the Glennon Card shopping period. Every fall, the initiative offers St. Louisans a chance to support the young patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital while also showing some love to great local businesses.

Glennon Card is organized through a collaboration between SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation and Glennon Guild, a women’s auxiliary with more than 300 members. This year’s shopping period runs through Oct. 23. With the purchase of a $60 card, shoppers get 20% savings at more than 320 stores, restaurants and service providers. All proceeds from card sales goes toward important services at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. The program has supported initiatives like the hospital’s Milk Lab, the Reach Out and Read program, the 3D Printing Center of Excellence, Danis Pediatric Center and a number of enhancements to patient areas and different programs.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon would not be able to make these improvements easily without the support of the St. Louis community, but Glennon Card does not solely benefit the hospital. According to Ann Boldt of Splash, a women’s boutique located in Colonial Marketplace in Ladue, the program benefits all parties involved. “It’s just a good cause, and card buyers can feel confident that 100% of their money is going to Cardinal Glennon, which is not how all fundraisers work,” she says. “At the end of the day, it also brings more business to our store, and for our customers, it’s a rare chance to get a discount.”

The increase in business comes at a great time of the year. “The program kicks off the holiday shopping period and incentivizes people to support local businesses instead of heading to big box stores or shopping online,” Boldt says. She notes that Glennon Card is the perfect opportunity to get some gift shopping done with the added discount. Splash has been a part of the initiative for years, and at Colonial Marketplace, 14 businesses are participating for 2022. Many stores at the shopping center offer additional bonuses for guests, such as refreshments or special sales, according to Boldt.

While Boldt does not have a personal connection to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, she is grateful that St. Louis has such a valuable resource in the community. “I’ve been blessed that my children have not needed the services of the hospital, but I feel for the families who do,” she notes. “Many of the customers who come into Splash during the shopping period know someone who has been affected by the hospital. So many St. Louisans are willing to support Cardinal Glennon through Glennon Card. The program has a very strong community presence, which is awesome.”

glennon card by the numbers

  • Since 2011, the program has raised more than $2 million.
  • 100% of card sales go to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.
  • In 2022, more than 320 businesses participated.
  • 46% of shoppers visit businesses they never had before.
  • 81% of buyers spend more than $250.
  • 79% of businesses report a positive impact on sales.

Photo courtesy of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation