Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
When seven year-old Amy Benham was terminally diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 1983, her parents asked their daughter for three wishes. The first thing she asked for was a playroom large enough for her and her two sisters, the second was a canopy bed and the third was to help President Reagan light the White House Christmas tree. Although the White House tree lighting is no longer the monumental annual event it once was, back in 1983 the ceremony was covered live on TV and marked the official beginning of the holiday season for all Americans. The words Amy wrote to the Make a Wish Foundation acknowledge the significance of the event and are nothing less than inspiring: "The Christmas tree that lights up for our country must be seen all the way to heaven. I would wish so much to help President Reagan turn on those Christmas lights." President Reagan, no doubt moved by Amy's image of the White House tree being visible in heaven, granted the young girl's wish. On December 15th, 1983 Amy and her mother were shown into the Oval Office. The President playfully allowed Amy to sit behind his desk before they took up their position for the lighting ceremony. As cameras beamed the scene all over the nation, the president turned to Amy and said "When you press the button over here, the whole world will know Amy Benham lit up the skies sending Americans love, hope and joy all the way to heaven and making the angels sing". Reagan then lifted the young girl up to turn the switch which illuminated the 500 lights decorating the 30 foot tree.
Amy and her mother returned home to find that her two remaining wishes had been granted - volunteers had built the playhouse for her and her sisters and a local furniture store installed a beautiful canopy bed in her room. Overwhelmed, Amy told reporters "I've got all these wishes all ready and I'm only 7 years old".
Before Amy left the White House, President Reagan presented her with a beautiful red and green velvet Christmas stocking. Festooned with festive ringing bells, this cheerful stocking is 27" long and trimmed in bright gold cord. The piece has been lovingly preserved in excellent condition with some slight blemishing on the brass bells. The stocking is accompanied by news clippings chronicling Amy's visit, copies of several photographs of Amy and President Reagan and a DVD with news reports from local and national news broadcasts including Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw. A wonderful piece of American history that completely personifies the meaning of the Christmas season as seen through the wish of a dying 7 year-old girl.