CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jillian Myers intimately understands the sorrow of losing a partner and the loneliness that can accompany such a loss, especially on Valentine’s Day. Her husband, Jason Myers, was a meteorologist for a local North Carolina television station when he tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2022, leaving behind his wife and their four children after nearly two decades of marriage.
“As a widow, this holiday can make you feel invisible,” said Myers, now 42. “You often don’t feel valued or embraced, and the love that your partner once shared seems lost.”
Myers has joined a rapidly expanding initiative known as the Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project, which aims to bring joy to widows and widowers by delivering gifts. Originating in 2021 from the driveway of a flower shop owner in Charlotte, this heartfelt movement has gained momentum and continues to grow each year.
On Friday, the project is set to assist 1,500 individuals in the Charlotte area who have lost their spouses, with similar outreach efforts appearing in cities like Houston, Nashville, and Pittsburgh. The gifts vary widely, from wine and sweets to flowers and jewelry, depending on the recipient’s preferences.
“You eventually come to terms with the reality that life changes forever — your partner is gone, and nothing will feel the same again,” Myers reflected, recalling her own past experience as a recipient of the project’s gifts. “And it’s true, it’s never the same.”
“Yet, when someone acknowledges your pain and shows genuine kindness, it can be incredibly uplifting,” she added. “It’s such a heartfelt experience that you naturally want to give back, especially to women who understand exactly what you’re going through.”
Ashley Manning, who runs the Charlotte floral shop Pretty Things by A.E. Manning, was the driving force behind bringing this outreach project to life. The concept first surfaced when Manning learned from her son’s preschool teacher about the loss of her husband due to cancer.
“I could see the continued hurt in her eyes,” Manning shared.
The next Valentine’s Day, she decided to brighten the teacher’s day with flowers, chocolates, and a card. Months later, the teacher expressed her deep appreciation for this small gesture, which prompted Manning to think bigger.
By February 2021, after opening her flower shop, Manning envisioned giving gifts to a more extensive network of widows, aiming for 30 to 50 recipients. She turned to her social media followers for support.
“Over a short period, we received donations, volunteers, and nominations for over 120 widows,” Manning stated. “The first year was quite makeshift; it wasn’t very organized, but we made it happen. Many volunteers from that initial year are still part of the project today.”
Among those dedicated volunteers are women like Myers, who are themselves widows.
“I enjoy hearing their stories,” Myers explained. “It’s fulfilling to connect with other women at various stages of their journeys, whether they are further along or just starting out. There are far too many widows who need support.”
The volunteer group also includes individuals who haven’t lost a spouse, such as Keely Hudson, 36, who experienced the loss of her father at just 13 years old.
“I witnessed the struggles my mom faced as a single parent with young children, and I recognize how important it is for someone to support you during tough times,” Hudson said.
Last year, she recalled a particularly moving experience when she and her two sons delivered gifts to a senior living community.
“The woman’s reaction was priceless—she was completely caught off guard,” Hudson remembered. “She kept asking who it was from and who we were. Once I explained the project to her, she broke down in tears, and we embraced. My children got to hug her as well, making it an unforgettable encounter.”
