First Lady Melania Trump spent time with a little girl during the annual Toys for Tots toy drive, organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Trump spent time with a little girl who appeared to be confused at the event on Dec. 11, after delivering remarks to a crowd at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
Jackie Rodriguez, 7, spoke with Trump and the pair then spent about 20 minutes together sorting toys and writing Christmas cards.
The toys and cards are sent to needy children across the country.
Rodriguez’s parents said the interaction with Trump was a dream come true for their little girl, who was seen grinning while spending time with the first lady.
“She has been waiting for this day,” Nancy Rodriguez told the Daily Caller. “She has been talking non-stop about meeting Mrs. Trump. This is her Christmas dream come true.”
Navy Captain Jose Rodriguez added that he “was stunned and amazed” as he watched the “unexpected attention” the first lady paid to his daughter.
The little girl stood nearby crying. “She’s crying because Mrs. Trump is gone,” Nancy Rodriguez said. As a parting gift, the first lady gave Jackie the drawing she made, which the girl was holding.
Trump shared pictures from the event on Twitter, adding: “Enjoyed spending time with children & the USMC at their annual Toys For Tots drive. Thank you to everyone who came out to help in this wonderful opportunity to give back! Merry Christmas.”
Donation
The White House said that Trump was donating 100 books to a companion Toys for Tots literary campaign, while she also gave children coloring books and other items inside white tote bags labeled “Be Best,” the name of her child wellbeing awareness campaign.
“The campaign has three pillars, which represent key areas of concern for Mrs. Trump: well-being, which includes the social and emotional health of children; social media, and understanding both the positive and negative effects it has on our children; and opioid abuse, and how to protect our most vulnerable from the effects of drug abuse while educating parents about the detrimental effects of opioids,” Trump said on her White House page.
Trump also attended the 2017 Toys for Tots drive and said she was looking forward to the event all year.
“I have been looking forward to this event ever since last year’s ended,” Trump said, reported the Marine Times. “As a mother, I feel children are the most precious gift of all. They provide so much joy in life.”
Retired Lt. Gen. Henry Osman, president and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation called Trump “our No. 1 volunteer.”
“What a champ she has been,” Osman said.
He said the need for toys was great this year following the devastating California wildfires and the hurricanes in Florida and the Carolinas.
