America’s first lady Melania Trump said she hopes the giving spirit witnessed when Americans banded together in the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey will continue over the Christmas season and into the New Year.
Mrs. Trump made her comments while supporting a drive for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program at military base in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
“After this year’s devastating hurricane season, I hope everyone watching at home will consider giving back through programs like Toys for Tots,” she said.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots’ mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during in the months leading up to Christmas to be gifted to less fortunate children.Established in 1947, the charity has since distributed over 530 million toys to over 244 million less fortunate children, the website says.
Pitching in
During her visit to the program’s activity at the base, Mrs. Trump recalled what she witnessed as communities in parts of America’s south rebuilt in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.“I’ve seen people from all over our great nation pitch in to help those who lost everything, and I want to challenge people to continue with that giving spirit over Christmas and in the New Year,” she said.
“It is my hope that during this holiday season people will remember it is not about gifts. It is about family, service and gratitude. We must continue to look out for and help each other.”
Last week Mrs. Trump — with second lady Karen Pence — visited several communities in Texas that were badly hit by Hurricane Harvey.
The first lady had earlier made a number of visits to Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico with her husband, President Donald Trump, to show support to communities devastated by the hurricane in late August.
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