First Lady Pool Reports of December 13, 2024

FLOTUS Pool Report No. 1 - background info on Toys for Tots

Hi there! I’ll be your FLOTUS pooler for her Toys for Tots event today.

Passing along background information from the East Wing:

REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY: December 13, 2024

Today, December 13th, as part of her Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Jill Biden will host a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots event at the White House with local Marine Corps families. Dr. Biden will be joined by spouses of senior Department of Defense and Service Leadership. This event will be livestreamed HERE.

Remarks Program

1. Lieutenant General Leonard F. Anderson IV, Commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
2. First Lady Jill Biden

Following the speaking program, the First Lady will join the military children in sorting toys that will be distributed to families in need ahead of the holidays.

This will be the First Lady’s fourth year participating in a Toys for Tots event:

1. In 2021, the First Lady traveled to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia to participate in a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive with military families.
2. In 2022, the First Lady joined the President at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia to participate in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots event, in celebration of Toys for Tots’ 75th anniversary.
3. In 2023, the First Lady hosted a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots event at the White House with local Marine Corps and military-connected families.

Background on the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Program
Created in 1947 and expanded nationwide in 1948, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is an official activity of the U.S. Marine Corps and serves as the service’s premier community action program. To date, Marines and volunteers distributed more than 652 million toys to over 291 million less fortunate children. Today, Toys for Tots is the nation’s flagship Christmas charitable cause with local campaigns conducted from October through December each year in over 800 communities covering all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Background on Joining Forces
Joining Forces is the First Lady’s initiative to support those who also serve: military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. The First Lady’s work and priorities of Joining Forces are guided by the life experiences and the perspectives shared during listening sessions with military-connected families. Over the last four years, she has visited over 25 military installations and worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 125 events with the military-connected community.

FLOTUS Pool Report No. 2 - remarks and color

The program kicked off at 11:35 a.m., with children pouring into the room followed by Lt. Gen. Anderson and Dr. Biden.

She's wearing a shimmery blazer, over a white-collared shirt and beige skirt.

"Happy Christmas!" One of the children said.

"Happy Christmas yes," Dr. Biden responded.

"How you doing?" one of the children shouted, making Dr. Biden laugh.

Anderson talked about how the logo for Toys for Tots was designed by Walt Disney.

Dr. Biden started her remarks at 11:38 a.m.

"Did you feel like it was magical?" she asked the kids about the White House decor and expressed disbelief when some of the kids said they hadn't seen the gingerbread house.

"Hot chocolate!" One child yelled, cuing more laughter.

While thanking the parents of the kids, a little boy seated in the front started wildly clapping.

"Yes clap for yourself," she laughed.

"Are you ready to get sorting," she then asked as the kids were released to the toy piles.

Remarks ended at 11:42 a.m. They were live-streamed.

There are hundreds of toys in the East Room - some overflowing out of large cardboard boxes and others all over the floor in front of one of the ornate fireplaces.

One toy that stuck out is the board game Delaware-opoly, which appears to be a Delaware-centric version of Monopoly.

The East Room toys were donated by White House staff.

Prior to FLOTUS’ arrival the mascot Gunny Bear arrived.

I'll send another report if there's additional color from the sorting.

FLOTUS Pool Report No. 3 - favorite toy quotes

Dr. Biden was asked by a reporter what her favorite toy was growing up.

"Probably Barbie," she responded, walking away from the press. She then came back with another answer. "My bicycle," adding that she was "Probably 9ish," when she got it.

FLOTUS exited the East Room at 11:52 a.m. as a number of attendees were posing for pictures with Gunny Bear.

That's it from me - have a great weekend!