First Lady Melania Trump Visits Red Cross to Assemble Kits for Troops

Zachary Stieber
11/27/2018
Updated:
11/27/2018

First Lady Melania Trump visited the Red Cross on Nov. 27, to help assemble comfort kits for American troops deployed overseas.

Trump and Second Lady Karen Pence, along with wives of some cabinet secretaries, visited the organization’s headquarters in Washington.

Trump spoke at the headquarters, telling the crowd after receiving a standing ovation that volunteering for the Red Cross was a “sincere opportunity for us to honor and thank our troops.”

“These comfort kits are one small way we can say thank you,” she said.

She also asked for prayers for the troops, noting how three American soldiers were killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday. Three others were wounded, along with an American contractor.
First lady Melania Trump talks with other volunteers at the Red Cross in Washington, Nov. 27, 2018, as she pitches in to assemble military comfort kits that are provided to members of the military as they prepare for deployment. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
First lady Melania Trump talks with other volunteers at the Red Cross in Washington, Nov. 27, 2018, as she pitches in to assemble military comfort kits that are provided to members of the military as they prepare for deployment. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Pence praised Trump, saying: “Melania has a natural gift of being kind and loving to others.” She said they took a trip together to Texas last winter in support of hurricane victims.

The kits were slated for troops serving in Djibouti, Iraq, Kuwait, and Poland.

They included a number of items, including brownie mix, hot chocolate, peanuts, playing cards, tissues, hand soap, and shampoo.

Susan Pompeo, the wife of Secretary of State, attended the event along with six other wives of cabinet secretaries.

Vide footage showed Trump and the other women each placing one item inside the blue bag before passing it down a line.

First lady Melania Trump, waves as she is acknowledged by, from left, Gail McGovern, President of the American Red Cross, Karen Pence, and Koby Langley, Senior Vice President of the American Red Cross at the Red Cross in Washington, Nov. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
First lady Melania Trump, waves as she is acknowledged by, from left, Gail McGovern, President of the American Red Cross, Karen Pence, and Koby Langley, Senior Vice President of the American Red Cross at the Red Cross in Washington, Nov. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A card that was inserted into each kit said that they were packed by the spouses of President Trump’s cabinet along with spouses of military service members.

“We joined these spouses ... to pack this kit as a way to honor your service,” the card stated. “It is a token of appreciation from home during this Christmas season and an expression of our country’s deep respect and gratitude for your military service. We stand with you and extend our best wishes for a joyous Christmas and happy New Year.”

It was signed by Trump and Pence.

In a statement issued earlier in the day, President Trump and the First Lady thanked people who have contributed to charities.

“Melania and I thank all those who have dedicated their time, talents, and resources to charitable causes over this past year, and we encourage you to look for opportunities to contribute this coming year,” President Trump said.

“May this holiday season be a reminder of the blessings we enjoy and of our duty to ensure that the spirit of American greatness continues to lift up people in need throughout our communities.”