WASHINGTON — First lady Jill Biden was joined by local Marine Corps families at the White House on Friday to gather and sort toys for children in need ahead of the holidays.
The event marked Biden’s fourth and last time hosting the annual holiday tradition as first lady, as she and President Joe Biden are set to leave office in less than six weeks.
“If you only remember one thing for the holidays after all the wrapping paper is cleaned up, let it be this: You are loved,” Jill Biden told those gathered for the event. “There are so many people who care about you, from your family and your friends, from your teachers and your classmates, to the president and me. And the best thing that we can do with that love is to let it overflow, to share it with others who might really need it.”
Christmas music performed by the U.S. Marine Band filled the White House’s East Room — decked out with two large trees and bearing shiny garland meant to mimic snowflakes hanging from the ceiling — as a spirited group of military children filed in. Hundreds of toys donated by White House staff filled the room, waiting to be sorted.
“Each year, we decorate the [White House] for the holidays, and I'm so glad that all of you could be here today to see all the magic. Did you guys feel like it was magical?” the first lady asked the families at one point during her remarks, which featured interjections from the children shouting things like “hot chocolate!” and prompting laughter from Jill Biden at several points.
During briefing remarks before the first lady, Lt. Gen. Leonard F. Anderson IV, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, noted this is the 77th year of the Toys for Tots program.
“So during this season of reflection and goodwill, we're here today in support of a very impactful and meaningful mission — bringing the joys of the holiday season to those less fortunate children,” he said.
He added that the logo for the program was drawn by “Walt Disney himself.”
Since its inception, the Toys for Tots program has donated more than 652 million toys to over 291 million less fortunate children, according to the White House. Anderson noted that last year they delivered more than 25 million toys to over 10 million children.
“And this year, we think we're going to set another record, ma'am, so we're really excited,” he told the first lady.
Jill Biden has participated in the annual event — which runs from October to December in over 800 communities — every year since she and the president entered the White House. During her first two years, the first lady traveled to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, for the events before hosting it at the White House last year.