By Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — Make-A-Wish New Jersey hosted its first “Yes, Virginia” viewing party in celebration of Macy’s 5th Annual “Believe Campaign” at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place on Dec. 15.
”This castle was built for our wish children and this was an opportunity to share a special day with them, as well as with children in the surrounding community, celebrating our terrific partnership with Macy’s,” said Vice President of Development Todd Shellenberger in an email on Dec. 18.
Around 200 people attended the event held in celebration of Macy’s 5th Annual “Believe Campaign,” which is based on the New York Sun’s famous “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial, and invites believers of all ages to get involved.
”We are very proud of our partnership with Make-A-Wish,” said Shelley Steck, Macy’s District Vice President, New Jersey Central District. “We are thrilled to be able to support them. We actually did two versions of the show for public television. We are doing a second on Dec. 23 for Spanish speaking for the first time every this year.”
Ms. Steck described the retailer’s “Believe Campaign.”
”It’s annual, national campaign in our stores,” Ms. Steck said. “We set up a “Believe” Shop in our stores. We invite children in to write a letter (to Santa) right there. We have a table set up where they can write a letter in our stores or they can write their letter at home and bring it in. Ms. Steck continued, “We have a giant red mailbox just like in the movie. We have the Believe Meter just like in the movie. They put their letter in the mailbox. Everyday a representative from Make-A-Wish visits every one of our stores and collects the letters and brings them to Santa at the North Pole and we keep a running total and donate a $1.”
She said the stores double the contribution to $2 on the “Believe” Day of Dec. 14.
As guests entered a room during the event to watch a screening of the movie, “Yes, Virginia”, reprinted versions of the famous letter from eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon to the editor of The New York Sun.
First printed in Sept., 21, 1897, Virginia’s letter to the editor read:
”Dear Editor,
I am eight years old. Some of my little friend say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.”
Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
-Virginia O’Hanlon.”
In response, the editor published a now famous letter reassuring the young girl that Santa exists.
According to the editor’s letter, “Virginia, your little friends are wrong. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus!”
”The voice of Virginia (in the film) is wish child Beatrice Miller,” said Assistant Vice President of Development John Toomey at the end of the screening as he informed guests that the DVDs could be purchased at Macy’s.
In addition to screening the movie “Yes, Virginia”, visitors were entertained by special performances from “Tom” the magician, “Marion” the clown and balloon artist, and Absolute Dance Center of Monroe performed.
Attendees also had access to a station to write letters to Santa for Macy’s Believe Campaign, cookie decorating, making ornaments, and refreshments.
”There have been over 869,000 letters collected nationwide,” Mr. Shellenberger said. “Over 43,000 in New Jersey as of Dec. 18.”
It was the first time some of the attendees visited the castle and providing the opportunity to do some fun activities with the family.
”It’s festive and fun during the holidays,” said Sheri Kruesi of Freehold. “They are dying to get to the cookie decorating.”
The Skeltons live nearby in Millstone and drive by the castle all the time but said they never had the opportunity to visit and see the inside until now.
”We always wanted to visit and took this opportunity to come and visit,” said Teresa Skelton of Millstone. “It’s very nice.”
According to Mr. Shellengerger Macy’s raised more than $9.92 million for Make-A-Wish through its “Believe” and Thanks for Sharing campaigns in 2011.
Thanks for Sharing is Macy’s Rewards Program exclusive to Macy’s cardholders. When customers sign up for Thanks for Sharing, they make a $25 donation, where $10 will go to one of five charities, including Make-A-Wish.

