READER'S ROCK LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 2 ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2014 VOL 2 ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 2014 | Page 43

Wish.

macys.com/believe, making it easier
than ever to give back. For each
letter collected in-store and online
through December 24, the retailer
will donate $1, up to $1 million, to
Make-A-Wish, helping to grant the
wishes of children with lifethreatening medical conditions.
Since the campaign was introduced
seven years ago, it has raised more
than $8.7 million to benefit the
organization.

The Power of a Wish
One of the world's leading children's
charities, Make-A-Wish serves
children in every community in the
United States and its territories. The
organization grants the wishes of
children with life-threatening
medical conditions to enrich the
human experience with hope,
strength and joy.

How It Started
The campaign was inspired by the
true story of 8-year-old Virginia
O'Hanlon, who wrote a letter to the
New York Sun newspaper in 1897
asking if there really was a Santa
Claus. The paper editor, Francis P.
Church, responded, “Yes, Virginia,
there is a Santa Claus. He exists as
certainly as love and generosity and
devotion exist …”

Since its inception in 1980, it has
granted more than 254,000 wishes.
According to a 2011 U.S. study of
wish impact, most health
professionals surveyed believe a
wish-come-true can have positive
impacts on the health of children.
Kids say wishes give them renewed
strength to fight their illnesses, and
their parents say these experiences
help strengthen the entire family.

These words became the most
reprinted editorial ever to run in any
newspaper in the English language.
The touching story created
generations of believers and
provided inspiration for the "Yes,
Virginia" animated special, available
at Macy's as a DVD and illustrated
storybook. In addition to the letter
collection drive, you can also give
back by purchasing these gifts in
stores or online, with 10 percent of
the purchase price going to Make-A-

Generosity Comes in Many Forms
There are many ways to embrace the
giving spirit of the season. Other
ways to take part include helping at a
local soup kitchen, “adopting” a
family in need or even writing letters
of appreciation to mail carriers,
servicemen and others who help you
throughout the year. For more
information about this year's
campaign or to learn more about
helping make children's wishes come
true, visit macys.com/believe.