Macy’s kicks off holiday campaign

Macy’s is kicking off its fifth annual National Believe Day. As part of Macy's nostalgic Believe campaign, which was inspired by the New York Sun's famous editorial "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," National Believe Day was created to spread the season's message of kindness and generosity toward others.



Macy's and Make-A-Wish will grant more than 50 special "Wishes Across America" to children with life-threatening medical conditions. In addition, on National Believe Day only, Macy's is inviting customers to help deliver a special $1 million day Friday, Dec. 6, customers across the nation will have the opportunity to spread joy and goodwill as Macy's National Believe Day returns for a fifth season of giving.



For every stamped letter mailed at a Macy's red Santa Mail letterbox in-store, Macy's will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, above the existing $1 million campaign goal. This new element of Macy's Believe program will help Macy's reach up to $2 million in total for Make-A-Wish during this year's campaign. Macy's is also encouraging customers to share a photo or video of their moment mailing a letter to Santa at Macy's Believe Station to Instagram, Twitter or Vine using #MacysBelieve, to be considered for the opportunity to be in a Macy's television commercial airing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.



"Macy's National Believe Day continues to bring together communities across the country during the holiday season through acts of true compassion and generosity," said Martine Reardon, Macy's chief marketing officer. "We are amazed year after year by the overwhelming support Macy's and Make-A-Wish receive from customers nationwide and the program's positive impact on children with life-threatening medical conditions. With the help of Macy's customers, we hope to do even more good this year and reach our goal to create a million dollar day."



Macy's Believe campaign was inspired by the story of 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon, who in 1897 wrote a letter to the New York Sun newspaper inquiring about the existence of Santa Claus. The editor of the Sun, Francis P. Church replied, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist..." Macy's says its Believe campaign is intended to inspire a national movement toward acts of kindness and goodwill toward others, reinforcing altruism as a holiday tradition. As part of Macy's Believe campaign, children of all ages can drop their stamped letters, addressed to Santa at the North Pole, in the Santa Mail letterbox at their local Macy's. For each letter received through Dec. 24, Macy's will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.