This post originally appeared on the White House blog on December 16, 2011.

This afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling to deliver hundreds of toys that White House staff donated to Toys for Tots, an annual holiday toy drive organized by the Marines. She thanked volunteers and military families for their hard work and dedication to the 60-year old program.

This is hard work. It takes people who take time out of their own families, time to come, shop, sort toys, make sure things get out. I mean, this doesn't happen automatically; it happens because people give up time, precious time with their families to make this happen. So this wouldn't be possible without all of the volunteers. So I want to extend a very big thank you to all of you, especially all of our troops and all of our military families who have led this effort this year, and who lead it every year.

Mrs. Obama made military families a focus of this year's White House holiday celebration, and today she thanked them for all they do for our nation--and still finding the time and energy to run programs like Toys for Tots.

At the White House, we're paying tribute to our military this holiday season.All over the White House there are signs of your strength and your sacrifice and your courage.At the White House, we're showcasing the stories and the pictures of our fallen heroes.

We're giving guests an opportunity to send a thank-you note to troops overseas.And once again, we collected hundreds of toys from White House staff, which I've had the honor of bringing here today.

She also encouraged everyone to do their part, no matter how big or small.

You don't have to live in the White House.You don't have to spend a fortune.You don't have to be an expert in military life to be a part of this effort and to lift families up.You just have to be willing to give just a little bit back to your community and to your country.

For more information:

• Read more about this year's holiday theme, Shine, Give, Share, which pays tribute to our troops, veterans, and their families
• Find out where you can donate locally to Toys for Tots
• Learn more about Joining Forces, the First Lady's initiative with Dr. Jill Biden to support veterans and military families.
• Add your own thank younote to an online card that troops all over the world will see.

A few years ago, as I began to travel around the country and talk to all sorts of people, one set of stories always tugged at my heart.They took my breath away.They inspired me.And they motivated me to learn more.They were stories of strength, courage, and patriotism that define our nation's military families. And I know that Fayetteville is filled with them.
 

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