Macy’s, Make-a-Wish grant more than 50 wishes for National Believe Day

ST. GEORGE – In 1897, an 8-year-old girl named Virginia wrote a letter to the New York Sun newspaper asking about the existence of Santa Claus. The paper’s response, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” became one of the most famous newspaper editorials of all time.

The letter would later go on to inspire Macy’s department store to create the Believe campaign, which has donated $10.8 million dollars to the Make-A-Wish foundation to date, according to a Macy’s media statement issued Tuesday.

On Friday, magical wishes will be granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions across the country, as Macy’s and Make-A-Wish celebrate the seventh annual National Believe Day, a day devoted to observing the season’s spirit of generosity and goodwill.

This year, more than 50 “Wishes Across America” will be granted, according to the statement, and Macy’s will mark the day with a double donation for the iconic Believe letter-writing campaign.

“National Believe Day is the cornerstone of our Believe program, where we offer double the donation for Santa letters collected and grant wishes to children nationwide, making a life-changing impact on their families, friends and local communities,” Martine Reardon, Macy’s chief marketing officer, said in a media statement. “We’re excited to see the response from our associates and customers and hope to again extend our campaign goal and raise an additional $1 million for Make-A-Wish.”

All season long, Macy’s has invited customers to drop their stamped letters to Santa at a Macy’s store or to send a digital letter online. Macy’s agreed to donate $1, up to $1 million, to Make-A-Wish for every letter collected through Dec. 24.

For every letter sent on National Believe Day, Dec. 11, Macy’s will double the donation — providing an additional $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to an extra $1 million above the existing $1 million campaign goal.

Since 2003, Macy’s has raised $90 million for Make-A-Wish, according to the statement, with $10.8 million donated through the Believe campaign.

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