Melania Trump, Karen Pence to visit hurricane-battered South Texas

Austin American-Statesman (TX)

Dec. 06--First lady Melania Trump and Karen Pence, the wife of Vice President Mike Pence, are scheduled to travel to South Texas Wednesday to "continue their efforts in assisting those affected by this year's devastating hurricane season," according to a White House news release.

Trump and Pence will meet with first responders in Corpus Christi who are part of the Hurricane Harvey recovery effort, then travel to Rockport to meet a family whose home was destroyed in the hurricane. They will tour the destroyed home and see the family's temporary manufactured home provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the release.

They are also planning to tour classrooms at an elementary school and speak with faculty about the hurricane. Their final stop will be a food bank, where they'll meet with volunteers and help sort boxes of donations.

"The effects of the hurricane season are still being felt throughout southern portions of the United States and in Puerto Rico, and residents still need our help," Trump said in the statement. "While I am heartened by the strength and resilience of those impacted by the storms, I will continue doing all that I can to lend a voice and shine a spotlight on those who need assistance to rebuild and start new family traditions. As Christmas and the New Year approach, I encourage people to lend their time volunteering or providing financial support to those still reeling from the hurricanes."

"Our hearts are encouraged by the people of Texas and their continued enthusiasm to help each other pick up the pieces and rebuild after Hurricane Harvey," Pence said in the statement.

Harvey crashed ashore near Corpus Christi more than three months ago and later caused widespread flooding in Houston, Beaumont and Port Arthur, leaving more than 80 people dead. Nearly 900,000 people have applied for FEMA aid in the aftermath of Harvey.