Melania Trump (right) at 4KIDS.Photo: twitter
While her husband continues to dominate Republican politics with election conspiracies and a relentless focus on who is and isnotsupporting him,Melania Trumpspent her Thanksgiving holiday another way: making arare public appearancefor a special cause.
The former first lady, 51, went Wednesday to the local office of the foster care organization4KIDS. Her office says she spent two hours at the Palm Beach branch, not far from the Trumps' Mar-a-Lago Club, where she and former PresidentDonald Trumphave largely been living since leaving the White House.
“Mrs. Trump spent time visiting with young foster children and engaging in a craft activity,” her office says. “She then had a discussion with young adults who aged out of foster care who live in the 4Kids independent living homes.”
The former first lady also “toured the organization’s therapeutic center where the facility provides clinical services for kids and families who need extra support, therapy and healing, as well as trauma-informed training for parents and care givers,” her office says.
In aThanksgiving tweet, she lauded 4KIDS and its “wonderful network”: “Your work is inspirational,” she wrote.
In addition to its foster care facilities, 4KIDS provides therapy and other support programs as well as housing for young adults who have aged out of the system.
Melania Trump (center) at 4KIDS.twitter
Melania Trump (left) at 4KIDS.twitter
Mrs. Trump’s office also noted how her outing this week was in keeping with her work in the East Wing on her"Be Best"initiative, promoting child welfare and anti-bullying (though that work also had its share of critics, because of her husband’s habit of attacking people on social media).
“Mrs. Trump has always been passionate about spreading kindness and compassion in communities at home and abroad,” her office says. “This visit shows her ever-evolving commitment to highlighting the people and organizations who are making a difference in their community and going above and beyond to establish a foundation and provide opportunity to our nations children.”
In a statement, a rep for 4Kids said they were “honored to host Mrs. Trump in our Palm Beach office to share how we are bringing hope, homes, and healing to kids and families.”
“Our families and young adults were blessed to share their stories and experiences with her during the visit,” the statement continued. “We are thankful for how generous Mrs. Trump was with her time and for blessing our guests with gifts for Thanksgiving.”
Sourcestold PEOPLE earlier this yearthat she has little appetite for returning to politics, despite her husband’s constant hints at a 2024 campaign.
Melania Trump (right) at 4KIDS.twitter
As a press-shy first lady, Mrs. Trump faced both significant scrutiny and curiosity — as when she wore an"I Really Don’t Care" jacketwhile visiting migrant children (which she claimed was actually a message for the press) or during one of heroccasionally awkward interactionswith President Trump, 75.
“Melania does not like being in the public eye and has made it clear that she isn’t interested in doing it again,” one political source told PEOPLE in September.
“She likes family and her private life,” the source added. “The media glare is not for her.”
source: people.com
