Hardship Heroes

Holiday Heroes Experience Application

The Hardship Heroes Holiday Experience is a magical, memory-filled holiday celebration for families facing serious challenges. Children will get to visit with Santa, enjoy activities, receive a catered dinner, and take home personalized gifts. We are honored to make your season a little brighter.

🎄 What is the Holiday Heroes Experience?

The Holiday Heroes Experience is a seasonal initiative by Hardship Heroes designed to bring light, laughter, and magic to families who have endured unimaginable hardships. We believe that even during the darkest times, families deserve a moment to pause, celebrate, and make joyful memories, especially during the holiday season.

Selected families receive a personalized holiday party experience together, including full wish list gifts for the children, a visit from Santa, catered dinner, activities, and so much more, all customized to their needs and story. It’s a moment of peace, togetherness, and wonder, created just for them! Please Note Please ensure your application is completed fully and accurately. Incomplete applications may impact the selection process. Please be detailed when sharing your story and explain why you feel your family deserves this experience. Be sure to include the names and ages of all children, as well as a list of everyone who will be attending the experience.

Please complete the entire application with as much detail as possible.

Only fully completed applications will be considered, so don’t miss your chance by leaving sections blank or incomplete.

Are you applying for yourself or nominating someone else?

I am applying for myself

I am nominating someone else

First name of the person filling application out

Last name

Phone

Name of Nominee (if different)

Nominee's Phone number

Nominee's Email

Nominee's FULL Address

How many adults will attend the Holiday Heroes Experience?

Please list their full names:

How many children will attend the Holiday Heroes Experience

Please list their full names + their ages:

WISH LIST

For each child, list their name and a few wish list items. Large or small—every detail helps!

What hardships has this person or family faced? We’re looking to support and recognize people who have faced significant hardships and adversity. Please check all that apply!

Please describe the hardship in detail: Help us understand the family’s situation and why they would benefit from this holiday experience.

Why do you believe this person deserves a Holiday Heroes Experience?

Is there any specific gift, or support item you think would mean the world to them beyond wish list items?

Would you be able to provide documentation of your hardship if requested?

Yes, I can show documentation

No, I cannot show documentation

It would be difficult to show documentation

Please provide 2 references familiar with your situation. One may be a family member. The other must be non-family (social worker, employer, doctor, clergy, etc.)

Reference #1 Full Name

Reference #1 Email

Reference #1 Phone

Reference #2 Full Name

Reference #2 Email

Reference #2 Phone

Eligibility Requirements

To help us maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone involved in a Hardship Heroes Experience, we ask that you answer the following question honestly.

Have you, or anyone in your immediate household or the individual(s) you are applying on behalf of, been involved in any criminal investigation or conviction, had any history of violence, abuse, or restraining orders related to domestic disputes, been the subject of allegations or findings of child abuse or neglect, are currently involved in any pending legal matters that could impact participation in a public or shared event, or have experienced any other circumstances that may pose a safety or reputational risk to our organization, volunteers, sponsors, or other recipients?

Please check one

Yes

If you answered yes to the above questions please provide more information below

I confirm that the Hero resides in Carbon or Monroe County (or bordering areas in Lehigh/Northampton County)

I confirm that the Hero has experienced qualifying hardship as listed above

Media & Advertising Release

I give permission for Hardship Heroes to use photos, videos, and my story for promotional and fundraising purposes

Once our Heroes are confirmed, we will announce our selected Heroes on our social media platforms and website. Please provide a photo of your family that we may use for social media, website updates, and awareness purposes to help share your story and cel

I understand and agree to the following terms regarding the Hardship Heroes selection process:

Once our Heroes are chosen, we will reach out via email with experience acceptance. If we do not receive a response within 48 hrs, a follow-up phone call will be made. If we do not receive a response through email or a returned phone call within 48 hrs after the phone call, we will move forward with selecting another hero.

I understand the importance of responding within requested timeframe and confirm that I am able to monitor my email and phone for communication regarding my application.

Thank you for taking the time to share your hardship with us. We know how challenging a time like this can be. Once we receive and review all applications for our Hardship Heroes Experience, our team will carefully evaluate each submission and applicants will be notified of their status via email. Thank you for trusting us with your story.

Peace & Love,

The Hardship Heroes Team