While the news media focuses on divisive issues such as Russiagate, the border wall and the never-ending debate on climate change, First Lady Melania Trump has been working with young and old to bring Christmas cheer to those who need it.
The First Lady started by volunteering with the Toys for Tots drive, which is organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to provide toys and books to needy children. She then visited the Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Joint Base Langley Eustis and the USS George H.W. Bush Aircraft Carrier to bring Christmas cheer to the troops and thank them for their service. A day later, she paid a visit to the Children’s National Hospital in Washington to read to the children and speak with their parents.
At the Toys for Tots Drive, the First Lady gave brief remarks to nearly one hundred children and their parents before helping the children organize the toys and make Christmas cards. She also announced that the White House would be donating one hundred books to the Toys for Tots Literacy Drive and that all the children attending the event would be given “Be Best” totes with a coloring book and candies. However, it was her focus on a single young girl who appeared lost in the crowd that truly made the event special.
Seven-year-old Jackie Rodriguez was confused so the First Lady showed her how to sort the toys, helped her make a Christmas card and then gave the little girl a picture that she had drawn. Her parents, Navy Captain Jose Rodriguez and Nancy Rodriguez, later commented that their daughter was thrilled with the personal attention she received and in fact cried when the First Lady had to leave. Little Jackie later said that her Christmas wish was to see the First Lady again.
Mrs. Trump later became the first First Lady to fly in a V-22 Osprey aircraft as she visited a pair of military bases. At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, she greeted children from Burbank and Bethel Manor elementary schools before delivering remarks to the troops thanking them for their service to the nation. She also posed for selfies with some of the men and women in uniform. She gave similar remarks at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling and aboard the aircraft carrier. She was given a tour of the aircraft carrier and a close-up look at the F-22 Raptor Stealth tactical fighter.
A day later, the First Lady was off to the Children’s National Hospital in Washington. There, she toured the neonatal intensive care unit and spoke with several parents whose children were born prematurely and cared for at the hospital. She then read “Oliver the Ornament” to the children. The story, which is about a Christmas ornament who is bullied by the other ornaments, led the First Lady to talk with the kids about the importance of being kind to others. Todd Zimmerman, the author of “Oliver the Ornament”, visited the hospital with Mrs. Trump and later commented that it was an honor to do so. He thanked the First Lady for her work to promote kindness via her Be Best campaign.
First Lady Melania Trump has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is worthy of the honor of being called the First Lady of the United States. She has a mother’s heart and clearly cares for each child that she comes in contact with. In fact, it seems that she is happiest not when attending gala events but when spending time with kids, talking to them, reading to them, holding them and then getting to know their parents. She cares about the people she comes in contact with and many of those who have talked with her enjoy and treasure the experience.
While Melania Trump’s efforts to bring Christmas cheer to people who need it have not garnered a great deal of media attention, they have surely brought joy to those who have benefited from her care and concern.
~ Patriotic Freedom Fighter
