‘Merry Christmas’: Melania Trump calls for love, gathers with children at Toys for Tots charity drive

First Lady Melania Trump called love the “ultimate gift” as she spoke to children and wished them a Merry Christmas at a Toys for Tots event on Monday.

“This Christmas season, you, your friends and your families should wish for the ultimate gift, love. After all, love travels further than Santa’s sleigh and America’s Ospreys,” she said, speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, at remarks attended by The Lion.

The first lady gathered with 150 children and military families to sort toys for children in need and write letters to the North Pole. Trump donned an ivory peacoat and a black turtleneck and jeans, and was accompanied by Santa Claus as she disembarked a helicopter to give remarks to the families in attendance. 

“You might be wondering why Santa asked me to bring him here today,” she said. “Well, this wonderful adventure is filled with Christmas sparkle and lots of love. Santa’s reindeer – Rudolph, Dasher, Comet, all of them – they are resting in the North Pole. They need to save all of their energy for their great flight around the world on Christmas Eve. Santa told me they’re snuggled beneath warm, fluffy blankets, sipping candy-cane cocoa, feeling the joy and love that will soon be shared with amazing children everywhere.”

Trump said Toys for Tots is “one of the most beloved traditions of the holiday season.” A Marine Corps-run charity, Toys for Tots has been distributing new toys to disadvantaged children since 1947.

“For more than 75 years, Marines and volunteers across America collect and deliver new toys to children who need a little extra joy during Christmas. All wrapped with love, and great care,” Trump said, thanking the group for promoting both fun and creativity. “You help bring the delight of Christmas morning to millions of children, and you remind us that of all American traditions, kindness and love remain among our most powerful.”

Trump credited the military and their families for being the “heart” of the celebration and thanked them for their strength.

In addition to Santa, a Buddy the Elf impersonator – from Will Ferrell’s Christmas classic Elf – and a giant bear mascot for Toys for Tots, Gunny Bear, were in attendance. The event took place in a hangar at the military base, which was decorated for Christmas and featured aircraft, including a CH-46 Sea Knight and an H-34.