CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. (KMOX) - There was a special surprise this Christmas for a young girl in Missouri who was badly injured in a recent tornado. The storm left Avalinn, 7, with several broken vertebrae and it killed her 9-year-old sister, Annistyn.
Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump decided to send Avalinn and her family a little cheer this Christmas. They send her two boxes full of hats, blankets, bracelets, pens and more, according to the girl's grandmother on Facebook:
You can see the surprise and excitement from Avalinn in the video posted by Pamela Proctor Moore, as they explain to her who the packages are from.
"Both of these boxes are from President Trump! Can you believe it?" Proctor Moore says in the video.
Avalinn, seen in the video next to her dad, recently regained her ability to walk and is now in a back brace. The boxes included "hats signed by Donald Trump, Presidential blankets, American Girl Dolls, books signed by President Trump and Melania, pens, bracelets and so much more," according to Proctor Moore.
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"We are so encouraged by the strength and determination you have shown during this very difficult time," states the letter signed by the Trumps. "You will remain in our hearts for complete care and comfort as you continue to recover.
"With your steadfast spirit, and the unwavering strength and support of your wonderful family and many friends, your future potential is limitless."
Dec. 10 was a scary evening for thousands of people across Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and elsewhere are deadly tornados ripped through the Midwest. The Rackley family, Trey and Meghan with their three daughters, Annistyn, 9, Avalinn, 7, Alanna, 3, sought shelter in a windowless bathroom in their Caruthersville home that night.
A tornado splintered the home, carrying the family members dozens of yards through the air into a field where first responders found them in mud. Annistyn, a third-grader who loved swimming, dancing and cheerleading, was among the dozens of people killed in five states that night.
The other family members were injured, but survived. Avalinn told doctors she flew around “in the tornado."
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