HELPING NEWLY WIDOWED FAMILIES ENJOY THE BLESSINGS AND MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

Our organization is a newly formed nonprofit dedicated to providing strength, hope, and financial resources to new widows and their children so they may enjoy the blessings and magic of Christmas.

At The Christmas Widow, we are currently working on a project that will provide families that have suffered the loss of a spouse/parent with: a holiday family meal, gifts for the children, and financial support to assist with a utility bill or basic necessities during the month of December. Our hope is to help reduce a small amount of stress and worry in a very difficult time for a family who has suffered a tremendous loss.

In order to make a difference, we rely on the support of generous individuals and businesses in our community. Your support is critical to the completion of our latest project, and we will gladly keep you updated regarding our progress and growth.

- Elena Rodriguez

President, The Christmas Widow, Inc

Hello, I'm Elena, and I am the founder of The Christmas Widow. I want to take a moment to introduce myself and let you know a little about why I started this nonprofit organization.

I became a widow at the age of 44, on Christmas Eve, 2018, and I will never forget the feeling I had when I came home from the hospital at 6am, without my husband, and realized it was Christmas Eve. 

Instead of feeling happy and enjoying time with my two teenage sons and my husband, I was answering the telephone and talking to organ donor foundations and funeral directors.

My husband had been in the ICU for 25 days after suffering a heart attack on November 30th. I spent every single day, from that moment of his heart attack, until the moment he stopped breathing, in that tiny hospital room, praying for God to restore him.

That Christmas Eve morning when I got home, although I was numb and feeling lost and broken, I cannot describe the hurt I felt for my children because there was "no Christmas" in sight.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, and the thought of not one single gift under the tree for my children, not any cute, decorated holiday treats to snack on, no joy, no music, no laughter...broke my heart on a whole 

level. As a Mom, I felt like I was failing even though my own heart was breaking. There were no groceries in my house either because we had eaten at the hospital for 25 days.

A friend of mine was our angel that day and brought us a Christmas meal for dinner and I remember asking my sister to tell my friend "Thank You" because I just didn't want to get out of bed, but when I heard my friend's voice, I had to come out and thank her myself.

The journey I've gone through from that day on is nothing I could have prepared for. The year after his death was a living hell for me and I can see now that God never left my side and I became stronger for it, and so I had to do something. For that reason, I have started The Christmas Widow.

They say Christmas time is a magical time and for that reason, every emotion is amplified. If you're in love, you feel more in love, and well, if you have suffered a loss...you feel even more alone. I can't think of any other word to describe the pain I felt other than excruciating, and for children who have lost a parent at Christmas time...there are no words.

My hope is to grow to be able to help many families, but with this being our first full year I am happy to help at least one family. H.O.P.E. is the motto I live by and it means to Help. One. Person. Everyday. With your help, I am confident we will turn my hope into reality and bless a family/families this Christmas.

There are several ways you can become involved in our mission to help newly widowed families enjoy the blessings and magic of Christmas.

DONATE ONLINE

Every child deserves to have a Merry Christmas. For just $5 per week, you can provide a newly widowed family a holiday meal, gifts under the tree, a memorial keepsake, and the comfort and joy of the season. Your online contribution can be made by contacting Elena Rodriguez or by using the giving form provided.

CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN CHAIR KEEPSAKE

Purchase a uniquely made keepsake to honor someone you love while supporting a family in need. These keepsake chairs can be preordered and can be made in a variety of themes and colors to honor the memory of a loved one.

PARTICIPATE IN OUR EVENTS

Throughout the year we plan a variety of events to raise funds and awareness for our mission. To join our mailing list please contact Elena Rodriguez via email at Elena@brokenstronger.com.

Without you, widows and their families would be left to face the Christmas holiday all alone. Thanks to you and other generous friends like you, we can bring them the blessings and magic of Christmas.

Your support helps these grieving families know that there is care, comfort, and community during the holiday season. At a time of the year when this loss can feel at its heaviest, your support helps us wrap the warmth of the holiday around these hurting hearts and homes.

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We will update you on how your gift impacts these families through our newsletters, and I invite you to connect to us on social media for real-time updates.

If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me - we love to hear from our friends and welcome your ideas and feedback.

By donating to The Christmas Widow you are helping us, not only support a family this Christmas, you are helping us launch The Christmas Widow in full force to help many families this Christmas and for years to come.

"Thank you for all the love and support you have shown my family in the darkest of times.

You have lifted our spirits through the holidays and put smiles on the little faces of my heart.

Thank you for all of your generosity you have given and shown to our family, helping us get back on our feet."

Merry Christmas