First Lady Assists Marines at Toys for Tots Event

Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched the “Joining Forces” program when they arrived in Washington as a way to honor, recognize and support veterans and military families everywhere. Obama said the program’s goal from the start has been to serve the military as well as they’ve served the nation.

Recently, Obama invited military families to be the first to view the official White House Christmas tree, which is trimmed with ornaments decorated by children living on U.S. military bases around the world. Additionally, guests to the White House are participating in Operation Honor Cards where people send notes of thanks to service members representing all branches of the military.

Pete Osman, president and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, thanked everyone in the community for their generosity, particularly in a difficult economy and those who are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

He also thanked Obama, who he said has been the campaign’s biggest supporter over the years. According to Osman, she has always kept her word on coming back to volunteer.

“The first lady literally rolls up her sleeves and helps us sort toys. I’m convinced the success of the Toys for Tots program is a result of the help we’ve gotten from her,” Osman said. “When Michelle Obama leads, the American people follow. And they’ve certainly followed her on this one.”

Osman said there are more than 700 local Toys for Tots campaigns nationwide this year. Toys will continue to be collected right up to the holidays and anyone can volunteer to help out, he said.

Remarks by the First Lady at the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards

East Room

2:40 P.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thanks so much.  Well, good afternoon.

AUDIENCE:  Good afternoon.

MRS. OBAMA:  And welcome to the White House.  It’s good to have you here.  I am thrilled that all of you are here joining us today.

I want to start by thanking the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and all their work for sponsoring these awards each year.  They’ve just done an amazing job.  And I’d like to ask all of the members of the committee to please stand so that we can recognize you for all of your hard work.  (Applause.)  It’s a pretty impressive group.

I also want to specifically acknowledge -- I’m off my game.  (Laughter.)  I haven’t been -- I’ve been speaking a lot, and then sort of took a little time off -- but our committee co-chairs George Stevens and Margo Lion for all of their hard work.  Thank you both.  (Applause.)  And we also have Jim Leach, Rocco Landesman, Susan Hildreth, Mary Schmidt Campbell; we have Minister Deng who is here, and our youth program speaker, Starr Arroyo who’s going to -- you’ll hear from Starr.  (Applause.)

And I also want to thank Congressman Platts for joining us today.  Where’s the Congressman?  There you are.  I walked right past you.  Thank you so much for being here today.  (Applause.)

And finally, I want to thank all of the educators, the artists, leaders, all of you who are working every day in communities all across this country to run the programs that we are going to recognize here today.

And every day, you all are doing the hard work.  You are pushing and inspiring our kids.  You’re revealing their boundless promise, and teaching them to believe in themselves.  Because of the programs that you all run, young people are learning breakdancing, hip hop, African drumming -- a lot of stuff going on, right? -- a little traditional music.  They’re putting on plays, publishing poems and articles, and working on  museum exhibits.  They’re becoming historians, designers and champion debaters.  Yes.  (Laughter.)