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ROTTERDAM, N.Y. — It will be a Christmas season to remember for a little girl whose simple wish was heard and granted by hundreds of thousands of strangers around the world.
All Safyre Terry wanted was to fill up a thrift store Christmas card tree by Dec. 25. But there's no way that little tree could possibly hold the 300,000 letters and cards she's received since her friends and family sent out the initial request over social media, according to ABC News.
Safyre, 8, was badly burned in a fire that killed her father and three siblings back in 2013. She's had multiple surgeries and lost a hand and a foot, but her story of perseverance inspired millions to embrace the spirit of service this holiday season.
Along with the cards, the little survivor received more than 3,000 packages, as well as a trip to Disney World.
"'Wow' is the general reaction in my family," Safyre's aunt, Liz Dolder told ABC. "We never thought something like this was possible."
Safyre's community of Schenectady, New York, has been touched by this Christmas miracle. In just one day, 195,000 letters and cards arrived for their miracle girl. It took three trucks to haul the load to the family, according to the city's postmaster John Reilly.
"We got the most mail we've ever gotten for a single person in Schenectady," he told ABC.
Dozens of people stepped in to help Safyre open her Christmas gifts on mail day. Dolder posted photos to Safyre's Facebook page.
"What an awesome day," she wrote. "Had to call for backup… We had bikers, family friends, Girl Scouts, correction officers and many more."
Just this week, Safyre got another surprise delivered to her doorstep, courtesy of the nonprofit Baking Memories 4 Kids. About 100 people helped the charity — which sells cookies to send sick children on dream vacations — present Safyre with an all-expense-paid trip to Disney World in February, according to Today.
What an awesome day. Had to call for backup. People coming together to help Safyre opens her cards and gifts. We had...
Posted by Safyre Schenectady's Super Survivor on Sunday, December 13, 2015
"It was absolutely amazing," Baking Memories 4 Kids founder Frank Squeo told Today. "There are no words to describe how many people were there supporting the family, or how beautiful Safyre was. She was so appreciative and she gave me the biggest hug."
One of Safyre's young classmates, Zachary Cunniff, nominated his friend for the vacation after his own family received one from the organization last year. Zachary's father — a state trooper — was killed back in 2013 when a car struck him during a traffic stop, and his brother suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, Today reports.
This act of kindness from one of Safyre's peers brought the little girl's aunt to tears.
"To know that, for one week, I will get to forget about all the pain and take a vacation with my family — it's wonderful," Dolder told Today.
A YouCaring page set up by friends of the family has raised more than $350,000 for Safyre, and it's not too late to send her a Christmas card.
Those interested in filling Safyre's mailbox can send cards, letters and packages to: P.O. Box 6126, Schenectady, NY, 12306.
