First lady Melania Trump said she will continue the tradition of reading to children at the Children’s National Hospital on Tuesday despite the coronavirus in what will be her fourth holiday visit.
“Every year I cherish my visit to @ChildrensNatl to read a holiday story to the children & meet with the dedicated & inspiring healthcare professionals. This will be my 4th holiday visit there & I look forward to spending time again with so many brave children & their families,” the first lady tweeted on Tuesday.
Every year I cherish my visit to @ChildrensNatl to read a holiday story to the children & meet with the dedicated & inspiring healthcare professionals. This will be my 4th holiday visit there & I look forward to spending time again with so many brave children & their families. pic.twitter.com/oHWRAW368d
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 15, 2020
Last year, the first lady read Oliver the Ornament Meets Belle to children and their families at the hospital located in Washington, D.C. This year, Trump will read Oliver the Ornament Meets Marley & Joan and Abbey, which will also be broadcast over the hospital’s television system.
“During each of my visits to Children’s National, I have felt the warmth that these brave children bring, seen the joy in their eyes and the smiles on their faces,” she told the Associated Press in a statement. “It always reminds me that the spirit of Christmas is truly alive in each and every one of these courageous children.”
The president and CEO of the hospital, Kurt Newman, said that Trump’s visit is “particularly special” in light of some holiday traditions being restricted this year due to the virus.
The tradition of reading to children at the hospital reaches back 70 years to when first lady Bess Truman made the visit.
