Make-A-Wish Alum Gives Back

A special and heartwarming event took place at Macy’s in Deptford New Jersey this holiday season. Make-A-Wish recipient Klara Pedersen of Sewell, New Jersey, in her new position as reigning Little Miss Wheelchair New Jersey, was determined to give back to the organization that granted her 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 Klara made her 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. Klara, along with her sister Lily, their close friends and family, arrived at Macy’s in Deptford with an astounding 1,500 letters in hand, collected through community efforts and the support of their entire school district.

“All three schools in our district wrote letters,” shared Klara’s older sister, Lily.

“Our teachers did it, too,” added Klara.

Klara, whose wish was for an Action Trackchair, was granted at the beginning of the summer of 2018. It was the New Jersey chapter’s historic 10,000th wish. Klara, who battles a critical illness, knew this high-powered wheelchair with special treads around the wheels would give her a sense of freedom she had never experienced. As a family that enjoys hiking and exploring local nature preserves near their home, Klara’s wish was in many senses, a wish to enjoy - in her own way - the lifestyle of the great outdoors she, her sister and her parents have always loved.

“It was really special to have my wish granted,” Klara said. “I’m more independent.”

“We really wanted to support Make-A-Wish this year,” Klara and Lily shared together. “We decided the best way to do that was by collecting letters!”

“It feels really good,” Lily added. “They did something wonderful for us, and now we’re giving back.”

Klara wholeheartedly agreed.

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.