Christmas comes early to 8-year-old disfigured by fire

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (AP) — A little girl who lost her family and suffered disfiguring burns in an arson fire is having an incredible Christmas, thanks to the generosity of thousands of strangers around the world who were moved by her simple Facebook wish.

Another friend put a post on the YouCaring.com crowdfunding site with a $15,000 goal to help Dolder and her husband, Mike — Safyre's new family — deal with medical costs and other financial challenges.

There were teddy bears, stuffed kittens, handmade jewelry, personalized Christmas tree ornaments, whimsical socks, books and cards signed by whole classrooms of schoolchildren.

Safyre has endured much since the awful day in May 2013 when firefighters found her clutched in the arms of her dying father, who had shielded her with his body and saved her from the flames that killed him and Safyre's three younger siblings in their apartment in Schenectady in upstate New York.

Safyre, with long sandy hair, pink leggings and glitter-spangled sneakers, showed not a hint of self-consciousness as TV cameras pressed in to record her opening gifts and cards Wednesday afternoon.