Dr. Jill Biden joins Operation Gratitude as she assembles care packages for deployed troops on Thursday.Photo: OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty
Dr.Jill Bidenis giving back.
On Thursday, in her first in-person solo event since her husband, President-electJoe Biden, celebrated his victory over PresidentDonald Trump, the next first lady helped put together care packages for U.S. troops who will be overseas for the holidays.
Wearing a pair of gloves as well as a face mask, Dr. Biden helped fill the care packages with items lined up in a variety of boxes, which will soon be sent off as a way to help spread holiday cheer.
“Today is part of a multi-day effort in DC and Los Angeles to pack a total of 20,000 packages,” Danielle Tenconi, Vice President of marketing and communications for Operation Gratitude, said in a statement. “Each package contains snacks, candy, 10 handwritten letters of gratitude and hand-knitted scarfs from more than 1 million volunteers nationwide."
The future first lady also shared that she hoped all Americans will commit one act of kindness this holiday season. “God bless you,” Austin could be heard telling volunteers. “God bless your families.”
Dr. Jill Biden.OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty
“In the spirit of gratitude and holidays, Thank You!!” Operation Gratitudewroteon social media following Dr. Biden’s visit. “Our Military & First Responder Heroes appreciate your support.”
In addition to the care packages, Veterans United — a sponsor of the event — encouraged anyone wanting to “Help deliver holiday cheers” toshare a messagethrough their website.
Dr. Biden has long made supporting the military an important part of her work. In addition to being the child of aWWII veteran, the “military mom” wrote a children’s book in 2012 calledDon’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops, written from the perspective of her granddaughter Natalie, during the time her father, the late Beau Biden, spent in Iraq with the Delaware Army National Guard.
During her time as second lady, Dr. Biden also teamed up with then-First LadyMichelle Obamato startJoining Forces, an initiative helping active members of the military, veterans and their family.
RELATED VIDEO: WhyBarack ObamaIs Confident Joe Biden Is the Person to Be President Right Now
In honor of Human Rights Day, Dr. Biden shared a message on Thursday about the importance of protecting the “vulnerable” members of our community.
“As the United States works to advance human rights around the world, we must also recognize that our task begins here at home,” her husband wrote on social media. “My administration is committed to ensuring every person is free to flourish in a society that values and defends equal justice for all.”
Alongside the message, Dr. Bidenadded, “Protect the marginalized. Protect the vulnerable.”
source: people.com
