May 13, 2026

How did I get chosen, many of you have asked. How did a little girl like me in a very small town get chosen to go to the White House in Washington DC to decorate the most prestigious building in the US? I remember several years ago, when I was watching the HGTV White House special showing the beautiful Christmas decorations for that season. I said to my husband, “Man, I wish I could go up there and decorate one year.”

Little did I know at the time that decorating there was a volunteer program. I googled that and read it and never really thought about it again. Until last August when I was just playing on the computer and decided to google decorating the White House. To my surprise, the topic read, “First Lady Melania Trump Announces Opening of Christmas Volunteer and Performer Applications.”

I thought about it and logged back out. The next day I thought, “Hey I could fill out the application and just tell my family that I did it.” So I filled it out. I had to answer a lot of questions such as “ What kind of experience do you have?” “Why would you want to be a volunteer?” And several other essay type questions. I submitted it and I received a message that said “Your application has been received and if chosen you will receive an email by October 13th”.

I didn’t really tell but a few people and had decided to keep it that way. Weeks went by and a week before I was hoping to get notified by email I happen to be off work and at home. My phone rang and it said from Washington DC. I knew no one from there and I wasn’t expecting a call anyway so I did not answer it.

To my surprise it was a guy named Ethan that was Mrs. Trump’s event assistant. (Or something) I immediately called him back and he asked if I had received my acceptance letter via email. I said, “ Really? Is this a joke?” It was so hard to believe. After a brief conversation, and he resent my email I just could not take it all in. Me? I never win or get chosen for anything. The email was letting me know I was going to Washington to decorate the White House and was asking more information. Yep! Lots of more information.

Background checks and the fact that I needed to get my “Real ID”. Not to mention “What was I gonna wear?” The paperwork said i would need to dress casual business, what was that? I am so in my jeans and florist t-shirts everyday along with very comfortable shoes. So shopping I went and searched for what I thought would be acceptable. I was pretty nervous about that as, we all know that the First Lady is top notch when it comes to dressing. I went to work the next day and told my lady’s. Truly I was going to just keep it under wraps and they insisted that I had to tell. So, the next day I made a facebook post and boy, things just snowballed after that.

The next day I got a phone call for an interview from WLTX. I tried to get out of it but she wouldn’t let me. So a couple days later, the Sumter Daily Item called and ended up doing a long story front page there. I started getting letters of congratulations in the mail as well. One hand delivered from Tim Scott’s office, a letter from Ralph Norman, letter from Keshawn Scott, Lee County Representative, letter from Governor Henry McMaster and a visit and letter from Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, and a proclamation from our local mayor Luke Giddings. I could not take it all in. Everyone who came in the shop was so happy and giving me congrats.

I can not express how humbled this was making me. I was chosen as one of two volunteers in the state of SC to serve the people. I was chosen for the person I am and for my God given talents he gave me. And I got to use it in a capacity I had never dreamed I could. So here is where it gets interesting. I have to stop right here for now and will continue with part two on my White House experience. Next - My trip there and the first couple days. Until next time, live life in bloom!