In 2003 Macy’s began sponsoring the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Over ten years later,  junior Emmanuelle Satcho drew inspiration from a trip to Macy’s where she saw the signature shiny, red mailbox and decided to bring the idea to NA.

Beginning on November 3rd, Macy’s stores across the country set up red mailboxes for children of all ages to send letters to Santa. Macy’s donates $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every letter placed in the designated mailbox.

“The money from the letters that Macy’s gives the Make-A-Wish Foundation helps kids get their wishes to come true,” Satcho said.

When Satcho introduced the project to her former high school in 9th grade, she helped to raise over $1000. Because the event was so successful, she decided to continue the idea when she moved to NA.

After teaming up with senior Olivia Scherrer and teacher sponsor Mrs.Volpe, Satcho reached out to schools all across the district.  Teachers ranging from Kindergarten to the senior high received information on the letters and templates to print out for their own students.

“I am really happy about what we have accomplished over the years,” Satcho said.  “I like knowing that our schools helped to play a part in this.”

While the event encompassed all students in the district, Satcho and Scherrer reached out beyond the district to North Hills and Mt. Lebanon. On National Believe Day, they donated at Macy’s alongside North Hills students and received two dollars per letter to maximize the impact and raise the most money.

With the great success from this year, Satcho looks forward to helping more children in the future.

“I will continue this next year, my last year of high school,” she said. “I also hope to start a club that volunteers during Make-A-Wish events, and my sister plans to take over once I’ve graduated.”