Last update on Nate, he got cards from all states and 63 countries!

[The Straight Story]

West Jefferson boy whom world befriended dies
He received Christmas cards from every state and 63 countries


Nate Elfrink, a 7-year-old West Jefferson boy with brain cancer who received thousands of Christmas cards from across the globe, died Friday.

Nate's mother, Dode McVey, wrote an online message in December updating friends and family about his condition. She also told them he would enjoy receiving Christmas cards.

That message quickly spread across the world, and Nate received cards from every state, as well as 63 foreign countries, McVey said yesterday.

The family has about 60 45-gallon trash bags filled with letters - all of which were read by volunteers or the family. The best were read to Nate.

The family hopes to get an exact tally of all the cards Nate received by summer so they can have a "Christmas in July" celebration for what would have been his 8th birthday on July 29, McVey said.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/28/elfrink.html?sid=101

Amazing the outpouring of love and kindness from others. I truly think most of the world has a heart and are willing to lend a hand to one another.

[Shell Beau]

1. RIP little Nate. He impacted people more than he could know.

[The Straight Story]

2. My daughter is about the same age, I just cannot imagine. He put my life in focus

I could have it so much worse. I am a lucky man - still have my problems, things which affect me that I will rant about of course, but damn.

I wish our people in government would spend more time getting things done to help people than freaking worrying about their next election.

[Shell Beau]

3. I agree. I have a little 17 month old, and I just couldn't even

begin to imagine. Hopefully, all of this outpouring of love will help the family with their grieving process.

And from what I can see, it is always about the next election. x(

[The Straight Story]

4. Sadly, it seems like we people are just an afterthought to those in power

We elect them, then have to keep hammering away at them to do the right thing. I think we and our needs only exist during election season.