This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Little Addie Fausett is a bubbly 6-year-old growing up in rural Utah who stopped growing three years ago and, doctors say, might be celebrating her last Christmas later this month.
But there is something that brings her joy, and makes her smile.
It's Christmas cards.
Since her story began circulating nationally and her love of Christmas cards was publicized, the post office in the little Sanpete County town of Fountain Green has been inundated with hundreds of Christmas cards sent to P.O. Box 162 and addressed to Little Addie.
The petite blonde with the broad smile has been crying a lot lately, as her family has said in several stories circulating through social media.
Her illness is undiagnosed, but a symptom is cerebral atrophy, her mother told KSL in a story the station ran in late November.
Since that story ran, Addie's father died unexpectedly. With Christmas coming soon, Addie has those holiday cards from strangers to look forward to every day.
The 26-pound girl elicits the help of her older sisters, Shayley and Audree, to hang the cards on her door.
Jen Rogers, of Children and the Earth, a nonprofit based in Sandy, says the girls' mother has been overwhelmed with the gestures of goodwill and the daily chore of picking up the Christmas cards and packages.
Rogers said the cards and packages are nice, but the family also needs donations. They must take the two-hour drive to Salt Lake City for Addie's visits to Primary Children's Hospital several times a month and then stay in a hotel during Addie's treatments.
It all takes its toll, she says. But the spirits remain high.
There also is a Facebook page, titled Little Addie, managed by Children and the Earth, that is constantly receiving messages of support.
"I'm an Army recruiter and would like to send you something extra special in addition to a Christmas card," wrote Sgt. Justin Rogers. "I want you to know that I look up to you and would be honored to give you something that I cherish as a soldier."
"I just saw this [story about Addie] today and my girls and I can't wait to send some personalized gifts along with cards," wrote Ashley Griffin Bean.
"We have four children ... cards will be heading your way," wrote Shawna Rae. "Is there anything in particular Addie and your children like so we can decorate the cards as such? 'Frozen,' Barbie ..? God bless you all."
"Dear Addie: We are in the Philippines. It is a beautiful island country of many islands in the South China/East Philippine Sea," wrote LaNett Dial. "We have many unusual and beautiful tropical flowers. We thought you and your sisters may enjoy seeing one of them."
Then there was this on the Facebook page Thursday:
"Today we will take the girls [to their] daddy's funeral," Team Addie wrote. "It will be a sad day for them. But Santa will fix this afternoon."
Cards and packages can be sent to Little Addie, P.O. Box 162, Fountain Green, UT, 84632.
Donations for Little Addie can be sent to Children and the Earth, 252 W. Cottage Ave., Sandy, 84070, or at its Web page, childrenandtheearth.com/recipients/little-addie.