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From Neely Bardwell
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Local election 2024. MIDDLEVILLE, Michigan – First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin Wednesday morning as the first stop on her mini-tour of Michigan.
Michigan is a swing state in this year’s presidential election, but Dr. Biden attended an event highlighting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s summer nutrition programs for children. At the same location, Dr. Biden also spent time with campers at Camp Corral, an overnight camp for military children.
Dr. Biden attended both events with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Bob Peters, chairman of the Pottawatomi Indian Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish (Gun Lake Tribe) chapter, attended the first event and presented First Lady Biden with a black ash basket.
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Speaking about the nutrition program passed by the Biden administration, Senator Stabenow expressed her belief that families should not worry about food insecurity. “We want children to be hungry for knowledge, not hungry for food,” she said.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Biden spoke about her 30-plus years as a teacher and how summers are often carefree and meant to be vacations. Unfortunately, hunger steals too many children during the summer months, she said on behalf of President Joe Biden. This summer, the Biden administration is giving parents whose children receive free or reduced-price lunch a little extra help with grocery shopping. This is done through the Sun Meals program and amounts to $120 for each of their children.
“Joe believes parents shouldn’t have to worry about how to feed their children. And we know that while grocery chains are making record profits, they’re still raising their prices. That’s why the Biden-Harris administration is fighting to lower grocery bills for families,” Dr. Biden said.
After delivering her speech at the nutrition event, Dr. Biden was led into the facility’s cafeteria, where excited Hidden Helpers campers and counselors sang a camp song. As part of her Joining Forces initiative, she is visiting the facility to show support for “militarily connected children of wounded, ill or injured service members or veterans,” according to her office.
Stabenow introduced the First Lady and thanked her and the President for the work they have done on behalf of military families. Dr. Biden spoke about her father’s service in World War II and that her son Beau served in Iraq for a year.
“You kids really are ordinary kids doing extraordinary things,” Dr. Biden said. “It’s great that you have the chance to come here to camp and meet other kids who are in the same situation as you – that you can talk about some of the challenges and some of the joys.”
The camp is a 170-acre forested area on Lake Barlow. When Dr. Biden arrived, campers were already enjoying breakfast before another long day of swimming, canoeing and other camp activities.
First Lady Jill Biden listens to the stories of a camper who shares his experiences as an autistic camper and was warmly welcomed by the other campers.(Photo/Neely Bardwell)
Dr. Biden then asked the children to raise their hands and tell her what they liked most about camp. She walked around with her microphone so the children could share their answers. The first camper told her he liked the “siesta” time. “Is that when you take a nap? No, I can’t believe you kids take naps!” she replied. “That’s when the camp counselors take a break? Very smart, camp counselors!”
Before stopping to take photos with each table of children, Dr. Biden listened to a child share his experiences at the camp.
“I love this camp because it has helped me overcome the difficulties of being autistic,” said one teenager. After the events in Middleville, Dr. Biden flew to Traverse City to help open a Biden-Harris campaign office. She told reporters her husband would not drop out of the presidential campaign.
At the opening of his campaign office, Dr. Biden addressed speculation that President Biden might drop out of the race.
“Since there is a lot of talk out there, I would like to repeat what my husband said clearly: Joe Is the Democratic candidate and he Is will defeat Donald Trump like he did in 2020,” she said. “Are you ready to help me?” The crowd cheered.
Wednesday’s visit was Dr. Biden’s second visit to the state of Michigan this year. In May, she visited two tribes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Levi Rickert contributed to this article.
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About the author
Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter at Native News Online. Bardwell is also a student at Michigan State University, where she is majoring in political science and minoring in Native American studies.
