Wish Alum Gives Back to Make-A-Wish
December 15, 2019
Monroe Township, NJ - A special and heartwarming event took place at Macy’s in Freehold, New Jersey this holiday season. Make-A-Wish recipient Christian Rivero of Howell, New Jersey was determined to give back to the organization that granted him a life-changing wish in 2018, and collected holiday letters to deliver to Macy’s as part of the National Believe Campaign.
From the beginning of November through December 24th, “believers” of all ages can mail letters to Santa at the big red letterbox at any local Macy’s store or online at macys.com/believe. For every letter received in store or online, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
Letters delivered on Friday, December 6th, National Believe Day, to any Macy’s nationwide -- the day Christian made his delivery -- count for a $2 contribution from Macy’s per letter, up to an additional $1 million, bringing the total campaign to a possible $2 million. Christian, along with his family, arrived at Macy’s in Freehold with an astounding 972 letters. Christian collected letters through the Howell High School Make-A-Wish Club, the Club Advisor and English teacher Mrs. Collins, as well as staff and students throughout all of Howell High School.
“I chose to collect letters from my school because I felt like it was my responsibility to give back to the foundation that blessed me and my family,” Christian shared after the exciting delivery on Friday evening.
Christian, who battled a life-threatening, critical illness, was granted his fondest wish to visit Beaches, Turks & Caicos last year. His wish was a life-changing experience for not only him, but his entire family.
“It was truly a life-changing moment and the wish was granted at a perfect time,” Christian reflected on the trip of a lifetime. “I enjoyed the time with my family and I truly forgot I was even sick, it felt like I was just a normal kid again without a thing to worry about.”
“I feel very honored being able to give back through Macy’s,” he continued. “I would also like to thank Make-A-Wish for all they have done for me and my family as well as Macy’s for giving me the opportunity to support the foundation and people who truly transformed my life and gave me hope when I had none.”
With support from the Macy’s Believe campaign, Make-A-Wish provides children with critical illnesses the chance to experience life beyond their illness and see their most heartfelt wish come true, allowing them to replace fear with confidence, anxiety with hope and sadness with joy. Since 2003, Macy’s has donated more than $122 million to Make-A-Wish, including more than $19 million through the annual Believe campaign.
For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, visit nj.wish.org.