Merry Widows

Dear Friends,

With food insecurity rising and healthcare costs escalating, many grieving families are focused solely on survival. But what if, in the middle of their pain, we could create a moment of joy that becomes a memory of hope?

This holiday season, Widow Strong is honored to host a FREE Christmas/Holiday shopping experience exclusively for the grieving children and their caregivers of Kate’s Club—a trusted organization serving families who have lost a parent or sibling.

These families have already endured tremendous loss. Every detail of this event is designed to say: You are seen. You are loved. You are not forgotten.

✨ The joy is palpable. It’s that “Christmas morning magic”—not just for the children, but for every volunteer and donor who gets to witness the light returning to their eyes.

Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, here’s what griving children will be blessed with:
✅ 3,500 sq. ft. of donated commercial space
✅ 70 boxes of Whole Body product and Toys from Whole Foods
🎄 50 Christmas trees and stands from The Home Depot Foundation
🎁 200 STEM toys from Target (Black Friday $70 toys purchased for just $27!)
🧸 150 stuffed animals
🍪 4,000 cookies baked by 50 senior widows—thank you, Dr. Melody and team!!
🚚 A moving truck and 35 tables from JFBC to transport and set up the event

With our Merry Widows Gift Gathering less than 48 hours away, we still need your help to cover critical event costs—including remaining gifts, supplies, family gift grants, and hospitality items.

Your tax-deductible donation also empowers our ongoing mission into 2026, funding free bereavement care, group support, and outreach events that help grieving families move from tragedy to triumph.

Give today through our secure donation portal, Fideltiy grants, or via Benevity, where your employer may match your gift—doubling your impact.

Let’s finish strong and extend the joy of this season far into the future—together.

2025 GOALS

• 100+ Grieving Families In-Need Served
• 40+ Volunteers Mobilized
• 50 Live Christmas Trees & Stands
• $40K in donated toys, Whole Foods products, and Christmas trees
• Free Family Photography Portraits
• $8K in gift grants to verified grieving families in-need

Event Mission:
To bring health, hope, and healing to widowed and grieving families during the holidays through practical gifts, personal connection, and invitations to ongoing grief recovery small group support.

The Merry Widows Gift Gathering is a heartwarming annual event hosted by Widow Strong, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating grief. This gathering serves children who have lost a parent or sibling, as well as their caregivers—many of whom are widowed mothers. During what is often the most emotionally difficult time of year, this event brings joy, comfort, and tangible care through thoughtfully curated gifts and a loving community experience that reinforces dignity and hope.

Funds raised for the Merry Widows Gift Gathering directly support the purchase of gifts for grieving children and their caregivers, event logistics, and follow-up care. These resources not only bless families during the holidays but also connect them with Widow Strong’s year-round grief empowerment programs, including group support, mentorship, and trauma-informed resources rooted in the 180 Your Life grief resilience model. This gathering is more than a festive occasion—it’s an entry point to long-term healing, resilience, and renewed purpose for families walking through loss.

All donations are tax-deductible, and Widow Strong offers several convenient and secure ways to give. Supporters may donate through our secure giving server or via Benevity, which enables company-matched charitable giving—doubling the impact of each gift. Your generosity makes it possible for grieving families to receive the love, support, and resources they need—not just during the holidays, but for the journey ahead.

Volunteer:

Would you, your church, or business team like to volunteer for this amazing event? Because we are working directly with children, for their safety, we do not publicly post our volunteer link. Please EMAIL: Cultivate@widowstrong.com to ask for the link to our volunteer list.

2024 Impact Snapshot:
🟢 $7,500 in cash gift grants disbursed
🟢 $50,000 in total event value raised through gifts and services
🟢 Approx 100 grieving families served
🟢 35+ volunteers mobilized
🟢 Thousands of dollars in donated toys, Whole Foods products, and Christmas trees
🟢 Professional family portraits at no cost

How to Give

It’s fast & easy! Click here widowstrong.com/give to make your tax deductible donation to Widow Strong directly on our secure server.

Below are other ways to make your tax-deductible donation. Thank you!

Give through your matching corporate account at Benevity.com search “180 Your Grief, Inc. DBA Widow Strong”

https://www.fidelity.com/

Make your tax-deductible donation to Widow Strong through your Fidelity account by searching “180 Your Grief, Inc. DBA Widow Strong”

https://www.ncfgiving.com/ Make your tax-deductible donation to Widow Strong through your NCF Giving account by searching “180 Your Grief, Inc. DBA Widow Strong”

https://www.thrivent.com/ Make your tax-deductible donation to Widow Strong through your Thrivent account by searching “180 Your Grief, Inc. DBA Widow Strong”