Purdys Dear Santa Bar Returns With New Hospital Partner
Purdys Chocolatier's eighth Dear Santa Bar campaign adds IWK Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as a children's hospital foundation beneficiary.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Philanthropy
Purdys Chocolatier has returned its Dear Santa Bar for an eighth year, with IWK Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as its newest hospital partner. The initiative has raised nearly $2 million for children's hospital foundations across Canada to date.
Why it matters
The campaign channels holiday chocolate sales into pediatric care at hospitals where children may spend the season. Its founding was prompted by children worrying that Santa would not be able to find them while in hospital.
The Dear Santa initiative has raised nearly $2 million for children's hospital foundations since its launch, with $2 from every bar sold going to partnering foundations. Eight children's hospital foundations across Canada currently receive funds, but the source does not report per-year totals or current-season sales.
The players
Purdys Chocolatier
A family-owned Canadian chocolatier that has operated in Canada since 1907 and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.
IWK Health
A children's and women's health centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, serving as the newest Dear Santa hospital partner.
The details
Dear Santa Bars are sold in Purdys Chocolatier shops across Canada and online. Donations support medical equipment, research and clinical trials, specialized medical and mental health treatments, and therapeutic programs such as art, music and play.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Dear Santa Bar returns for its eighth year with IWK Health as a partner.
Holiday season 2026: Dear Santa Bar is sold as a seasonal fundraiser.
Market Landscape
Dear Santa extends a seasonal cause-marketing model in which a confectionery brand links holiday sales to pediatric hospital funding. Its eight-year run and expansion to IWK Health show the model being sustained by adding partners rather than changing its core donation structure.
Buying a Dear Santa Bar in Purdys shops or online sends $2 per bar to a partnering children's hospital foundation. Shoppers in Canada can support the campaign directly through a seasonal purchase.
The takeaway
Choosing a Dear Santa Bar this holiday season directs a portion of each purchase to children's hospital care. Shoppers who want to support pediatric care can make the donation simply by buying the chocolate.
Further reading
Explore more Canada Philanthropy coverage to see how similar giving campaigns support hospitals across the country.
More information
You can buy a Purdys Dear Santa Bar directly from the company's official site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brockville Recorder & Times.
