Community Corner
Leesburg Businesses Contribute to Gabriella's Wish
Dear Santa letter campaign brings national attention to local 9-year-old with inoperable brain tumor.
When Primo Hoagies sandwich shop owners Mark and Diane LeGette heard the story of Leesburg resident Gabriella Miller’s inoperable brain tumor, they knew they wanted to help. Cancer is a disease that has affected their family and they felt a personal connection to her situation.
Primo Hoagies of Leesburg decided to designate Tuesday as “Gabriella’s Day” and donate 20 percent of the day's sales to her cause.
It's located at 210 Fort Evans Rd, NE, Leesburg.
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They are hoping that she will be able to use the money raised as spending money when she takes her “Make A Wish” trip to Paris, France next year.
Miller was recently diagnosed with a rare form of inoperable brain cancer. She is currently undergoing difficult chemotherapy and radiation treatment almost daily. She qualified for the Make a Wish Foundation and was granted her wish - a trip to Paris, France.
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However, Miller wanted to do more than just accept her wish - she wanted to help others in her situation receive a wish as well. Macy’s is currently running a “Dear Santa” letter writing campaign and if they receive a million letters then they will donate $1,000,000 to the Make A Wish Foundation.
The Millers, with the help of some close friends and family, started a “Dear Santa” letter writing campaign: To date they have received over 50,000 letters. The letters will be delivered to Macy’s on Sunday, Dec. 23 at Dulles Town Center Mall.
“We were very touched by the LeGette’s generosity. They had just heard the story and wanted to do something to help,” said Chris Croll, spokesperson for the Miller family.
Other local businesses have been donating to this cause as well.
Preston Snell of Printing Concepts and Consulting in Leesburg has donated thousands of “Dear Santa” forms and envelopes.
In addition, Costco of Leesburg has donated hundreds of cookies and sandwiches for the various letter-writing events that have been held in the area.
“This has made me feel that the community is so supportive. This is 100 percent grass roots effort which has surpassed our expectations,” Croll added.
Gabriella’s story has reached the national level and is scheduled to be featured on the Today Show between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesday.
If you would like to become involved, visit Gabriella's Facebook page. Send send in a “Dear Santa” letter to 20899 McIntosh Place, Leesburg, VA, 20175.
