The Christmas season keeps getting more magical for Safyre Terry, the 8-year-old girl who's request for Christmas cards to fill a metal card holder in her aunt's home went viral earlier this month.
The latest to send their holiday wishes to the young girl are President Barack Obama and his family, who mailed Safyre their official holiday card, along with a personal note from the First Lady, praising her for her bravery.
"When the President and I heard your story, we wanted to be sure you had a White House holiday card to add to your collection," Michelle Obama wrote in the letter. "You sound like such a brave girl and you have inspired so many people around the world, including Barack and me."
Safyre was badly burned in an arson house fire three years ago that killed her father and three younger siblings. Her father died cradling Safyre in his arms, which protected her from breathing in hot air and allowed her to survive. Her mother signed over custodial rights to the state, so her father's sister, Liz Dolder, stepped forward to be her guardian.
Dolder posted photos of Safyre holding the presidential holiday greeting, along with an image of the First Lady's note, to Safyre Schenectady's Super Survivor — the Facebook community she uses to post updates on Safyre's recovery.
"Safyre had the honor of getting a card from the President, First Lady and family. THANK YOU, Mr. President and First Lady," Dolder wrote in the post.
With hundreds of thousands of cards pouring in for Safyre daily, Dolder has busied herself on Facebook, sharing thanks to those who have contributed cards and gifts to her niece. Among those Dolder has shown her appreciation for is American Greetings, which created an online form where people could request to have their name signed inside one of 14,000 greeting cards that were filled with signatures and shipped to Safyre.
"Safrye’s story is so heartbreaking, yet we love her positive spirit and the fact she wants to receive Christmas cards," Patrice Sadd, director of corporate communications at American Greetings told TODAY Parents. "American Greetings has a really wonderful and compassionate social media following, and we wanted to make it easy for them to send Safyre a card."
Dolder also shared appreciation for a group of students at University of Albany, who have been working to create a robotic hand for Safyre.
"You should have seen her face when they presented her with the first generation 3D printed hand," Dolder wrote in a Facebook post. "Priceless. Saf took to it right away. She even picked up a cup the within a hour of having it. They have to tweak it a bit. But she should have it back in a few days. HOPE FAITH LOVE TO ALL."