An eight-year-old girl with an extraordinary story is gaining national attention for her only wish this holiday season: Christmas cards.

When Sa’fyre Terry was six-years-old, the upstairs stairwell that led to her New York apartment was deliberately set on fire. The fire killed her father, David Terry, and her three younger siblings, all of whom were under the age of three.

Sa’fyre’s father held her in his arms to protect her from breathing in the hot air, ultimately saving her life.

After the fire, her mother signed over custodial rights to the state of New York. She now lives with her aunt, Liz Dodler, who petitioned to the courts to become her guardian. Dodler is also married and has five children of her own.

Since the fire, Sa’fyre has lost her left foot, right hand, and has undergone more than 50 surgeries to graft skin over the burns that covered more that 75% of her body.

“Sa’fyre lost everything – her father, her mother, her sister, her brothers, her favorite toy, her favorite outfit – everything that was familiar to her. She even lost the one thing we all take for granted – her reflection. But she wakes every morning with a smile on her face. She is the true definition of hope, faith, and love,” Dodler said.

Dodler runs a Facebook page called “Sa’fyre Schenectady’s Super Survivor” where she often posts updates on the young girl’s health. On Dec. 3, she posted a photograph of Sa’fyre with a thrift store Christmas card holder. She wrote that all Sa’fyre wants for Christmas is enough cards to fill her holder.

The post has since been shared over 20,000 times and spread to other social media sites and news outlets. Because of the power of the media and the compassion that seems to grow in all of our hearts during the holiday season, Sa’fyre has experienced a true Christmas miracle.

On Dec. 14 alone, she received over 195,000 letters and more than 3,000 packages that were delivered by two 2-ton mail trucks and a rented cargo truck. In total, she has received over 300,000 Christmas cards.
“I haven’t found a word in my vocabulary to describe what has happened,” Dodler shared with a local news outlet, “It’s like everyone’s come together for Sa’fyre.”

Dolder added that the only word Sa’fyre can gather over the thousands of cards and presents coming in every day is “What?”

“She can’t believe it,” Dolder said. “She’s such a humble little girl, too. She really is.”

As a way to say “thank you,” the family plans to lie the cards out on their lawn and take a photo via aerial drone after Christmas.

As the holiday nears, Sa’fyre will continue to receive and open thousands of cards. If you would like to send her your own Christmas card, address it to:
Sa’fyre Terry
P.O. Box 6126
Schenectady, NY 12306