Young arson survivor who asked for Christmas cards receives more than 1 million
Safyre Terry asked for Christmas cards, and the world listened.
In 2013, Safyre, 8, was badly burned in an arson fire that killed her father and three younger siblings. Now living with her aunt, Liz Dolder, in upstate New York, Safyre said that all she wanted for Christmas this year was to fill up the family's card holder. After Safyre's request was posted online, word spread quickly, and the cards and packages started flooding into her local post office.
Since early December, Safyre has received more than 1 million cards from across the globe, including a personalized message from the White House, as well as thousands of gifts. More than two dozen volunteers have been opening the cards and packages with the family, but "even with all the volunteers, we haven't even brushed the surface," Dolder told The Associated Press. Safyre appreciated every present she received, but decided to share the goodwill by distributing many of the gifts to homeless and domestic violence shelters, as well as Boston's Shriners Hospital. "We want other children to feel the joy that Safyre feels," Dolder said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published