Children of Widowhood - Widowhood Real Talk with Dr. Tina

Helping Make the Holidays Brighter for Children Who've Lost a Parent

Want to Help Make Christmas Brighter?

Beginning October 3, 2026, individuals, families, businesses, churches, civic organizations, veteran organizations, and community groups will have the opportunity to sponsor a child or an entire family for Christmas.

Join Our Sponsor Interest List Today!

A Community of Compassion, Community & Hope

The Children of Widowhood Secret Santa program was created to support children and families navigating the grief of losing a parent during the holiday season.

We understand that grief does not pause during the holidays. Through the kindness of sponsors, donors, and community supporters, this program helps provide comfort, joy, and hope to children who may be facing one of the hardest seasons of the year.

Our mission is simple:
To remind every child and family that they are seen, supported, and not alone.

Applications for the 2026 season will be accepted from June 1–30, 2026.

Date	Information
June 1–30, 2026	Application Window Open
August 1, 2026	Participant Notifications Sent
August 31, 2026	Amazon Wishlist Links Due
October 1–December 31, 2026	Sponsor Shopping Window
January 15, 2027	Family Follow-Up Due

Confidentiality & Privacy

All information submitted through the Children of Widowhood Secret Santa application process is confidential and will be viewed only by the program’s administrators.

Children’s identities and family information will never be publicly shared without permission.

We are committed to protecting the dignity, privacy, and trust of every participating family.

Wishlist Guidelines

To help ensure fairness and allow sponsors to support as many families as possible, please follow these guidelines:

Wishlist items should range between $1–$50
Maximum of five items per child
Do not include children’s names on Wishlist
Label children as:
- Child 1
- Child 2
- Child 3
- etc.
Shipping addresses must be verified before Wishlist are shared with sponsors

Program Information & Eligibility

Submission of an application does not guarantee program selection
Incomplete applications may not be considered
Families may only participate once to allow support to reach additional families
The Children of Widowhood Secret Santa program reserves the right to verify submitted information
Selected families must submit Amazon Wishlist links by August 31, 2026

Post-Holiday Follow-Up

By January 15, 2027, participating families will be asked to provide:

Total number of gifts received
Approximate total dollar value of gifts received

This information helps us measure impact, improve the program, and continue serving families in future years.

2025 Program Impact

Because of the generosity of our community in 2025:

11 families were supported
29 children received holiday support
131 gifts were fulfilled toward our goal of 145 gifts

Thank you to every sponsor, donor, and volunteer who helped make the holidays brighter for grieving children and families.

Become a Sponsor

Every child deserves to experience the joy, hope, and love of Christmas—even after the loss of a parent.

If you, your family, workplace, church, civic organization, veteran organization, or community group would like to sponsor one or more children this holiday season, we’d love to partner with you.

Beginning October 3, 2026, sponsors will receive information on available families and instructions for participating.

Simply leave your contact information below, and we’ll reach out with everything you need to become a sponsor.

Why This Matters

Why This Program Matters

For children who have experienced the death of a parent, Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of the year.

While many families celebrate treasured traditions, grieving children are often navigating an empty chair at the table, cherished memories, and the financial hardships that frequently follow the loss of a loved one.

The Children of Widowhood Secret Santa program exists to remind every child that they are seen, remembered, supported, and deeply loved.

Because of Community Support...

In 2025, together we accomplished something incredible.

❤️ 11 grieving families were supported.

🎄 29 children received Christmas gifts.

🎁 131 of 145 requested gifts were purchased—over 90% of every child’s wish list was fulfilled.

This year, our goal is even bigger.

With your help, we hope every child experiences the joy of knowing someone cared enough to remember them during the holidays.

Will you help us make that happen?

Frequently Asked Questions

When does sponsorship begin?

Sponsor registration opens on October 3, 2026. Individuals and organizations who join the Sponsor Interest List will be contacted with sponsorship opportunities and instructions.

Anyone can make a difference! We welcome individuals, families, churches, businesses, veteran organizations, civic groups, schools, book clubs, Scout troops, employee giving programs, and community organizations.

Absolutely! Sponsors may choose to support one child, multiple children, or an entire family based on their desired level of involvement.

How can I help?

There are two ways to support a grieving child this Christmas.

Option 1 – Sponsor a Child or Family

We’ll provide you with an anonymous Amazon Wish List for a child or family. You may purchase one gift, several gifts, or an entire Wish List. Amazon ships the gifts directly to the family, making participation easy while protecting everyone’s privacy.

Option 2 – Make a Tax-Deductible Donation

If you prefer not to shop, you may make a financial contribution to the Children of Widowhood Secret Santa program. Our volunteer team will use your donation to purchase gifts from participating families’ Amazon Wish Lists.

Make a Donation

Children of Widowhood Secret Santa 2026 Donation Page

How will I know what to purchase?

Each participating family creates an anonymous Amazon Wish List. Sponsors receive the Wish List and can purchase as many or as few gifts as they choose.

How are gifts delivered?

Gifts are purchased through Amazon and shipped directly to the participating family’s verified address. This protects the privacy of both sponsors and families while making the process simple and secure.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes. Widowhood Real Talk with Tina is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations made through our secure giving page are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. A donation receipt will be provided for your records.

Do I have to purchase every item on the Wish List?

No. Every gift makes a difference. You may purchase one item, several items, or an entire Wish List, whatever fits your budget.

Absolutely! Many organizations choose to sponsor multiple children or families as part of their annual holiday outreach or community service efforts.

How are gifts delivered?

Amazon ships gifts directly to participating families, providing a simple, secure, and confidential process for everyone involved.

Will I know who I'm sponsoring?

To protect the privacy of grieving families, children’s names and identifying information are never shared. Sponsors receive only the information needed to purchase gifts through the family’s anonymous Amazon Wish List.

How are families selected?

Families apply during the annual application period. Applications are carefully reviewed to verify eligibility and ensure the program serves children who have experienced the loss of a parent.

Will I know who I'm sponsoring?

To protect the privacy of grieving families, children’s names and personal identifying information are never shared. Sponsors receive only the information necessary to complete their shopping.

Do I have to purchase every item on the Wish List?

No. Sponsors are welcome to purchase one gift, several gifts, or an entire Wish List. Every gift helps make Christmas brighter.

Yes! Many organizations choose to make sponsorship part of their annual holiday outreach by supporting multiple children or families.

Can I make a financial donation instead of shopping?

Yes. Financial donations are always appreciated and help support program operations or provide gifts for children whose Wish Lists are not fully sponsored.

How are families selected?

Families submit applications during the annual application period. Applications are reviewed by the Children of Widowhood Secret Santa team to verify eligibility and ensure the program serves families who have lost a parent.

How can my organization become an annual partner?

We welcome long-term partnerships with businesses, churches, civic organizations, veteran groups, and community organizations. Join our Sponsor Interest List, and we’ll contact you about creating a recurring holiday giving partnership.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Please email us at childrenofwidowhoodss@gmail.com, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.