Peck getting national attention

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Joseph Pratt

[email protected]

Andrew “Hollywood” Peck is your average ten-year-old boy who loves Batman, playing baseball, and watching movies with his best buddy, and cousin, DJ. Hollywood’s family and friends are currently celebrating Christmas in November, under recommendations of doctors and Hospice. The outpour of support has been sensational, according to the family, and has gained him national attention.

The Daily Times ran a story on his most important Christmas on Friday, November 06. It went online Thursday afternoon and went viral before it was even printed. It also received attention from People Magazine, who then decided to take action on the story as well.

The original Daily Times story can be found online at www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/3583/peck-family-asking-for-cards-for-hollywoods-most-important-chirstmas.

The family decided to celebrate the holiday throughout the entire month of November, to ensure Hollywood can get his visit from Santa and, of course, receive his holiday favorite— Christmas cards.

“They asked us if we would be comfortable celebrating Christmas early this year, because he isn’t doing well,” Grandmother Annette Peck explained. “We are celebrating it all month. Family is coming in and we are hoping to combine it with Thanksgiving to get everyone involved. It just depends on his health, really.”

Peck became well-known for his big smile and his love of receiving mail on his most recent birthday, which he celebrated on May 18.

His birthday was a hit. The young hero received well over 9,000 cards. Annette Peck said Hollywood lit up with each delivery. She claimed he even continues to receive about two or three a week. He has been gifted cards from every state and many, many countries.

“People have even been sending him Halloween cards. He just giggles, as it brightens up his little day,” Annette Peck said. “The support has just been amazing.”

The family is now asking for people to send him Christmas cards, because they believe it could make November the most important Christmas of his life.

“It has been wonderful so far and the spirit is just flowing,” Annette Pack said. “The neighbors have all been putting up decorations for him and it has just been awesome. He has touched so many lives that it is something else.”

Annette Peck has asked that no one buy Hollywood any presents, because she feels he gets the most out of receiving cards.

“He already has anything and everything he could ever want, including his family and friends,” Annette Peck said. “I mean, as far as presents go, if someone really wants to buy Christmas presents, we prefer for them to donate them to local unfortunate children. We just ask for the cards, because they are what he truly enjoys the most.”

The story was picked up by People Magazine on Thursday, after it circulated over a thousand shares on the first day. Reporter Rose Minutaglio spoke in-depth with the family, to get an understanding of who Hollywood is and why he is causing such a stir in his community. His story appears online at www.people.com/article/terminally-ill-10-year-old-celebrates-christmas-early.

Minutaglio said that she feels telling these stories are important, because of the message they send.

People’s audience is passionate about our coverage of human interest stories,” Julie Farin, People Magazine representative, said. “In fact, some of the most-read stories on People.com are human interest and inspirational. It goes back to our core mission: To cover ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

Other media outlets have also contacted the family since the story broke. Grandmother Annette Peck said that things have been crazy, with more support for Hollywood coming in than she ever expected.”

“The support is just so wonderful and unexpected,” Peck said. “It is like a big dream to me. I’m honestly spinning a little.”

People Magazine was hesitant on publishing the home address of the family on such a large scale. The Daily Times arranged a temporary post office box for mail to be delivered on a national level, which will then be delivered to the family.

The family asks that locals mail their cards to the home address, however, because Hollywood enjoys watching the truck pull in with them.

Cards may be sent to:

Andrew “Hollywood” Peck

2017 Shela Blvd. Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.

Reach Joseph Pratt at 740-353-3101, ext. 1932, or by Twitter @JosephPratt03.

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Submitted Photo
Andrew excited about receiving a card
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2015/11/web1_peck.jpgSubmitted Photo
Andrew excited about receiving a card

Joseph Pratt | Daily Times
Andrew anxiously awaiting his interview with People Magazine, while showing off Christmas decorations to guests
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2015/11/web1_20151106_112342.jpgJoseph Pratt | Daily Times
Andrew anxiously awaiting his interview with People Magazine, while showing off Christmas decorations to guests

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