Ivanka Trump donated $50,000 to a Texas church to help children separated from their parents at the border, according to the pastor. The president’s daughter made the donation after the Dallas-area Baptist Church announced it is working to find a solution to the “terrible immigration crisis.”
Prestonwood Baptist Church of Plano’s Pastor Jack Graham said that the president’s daughter learned of the church’s decision to launch a ministry to help children separated from their families because of immigration enforcement after the church sent out a tweet announcing the effort, the Dallas Morning News reported.
We @Prestonwood are currently working to provide solutions to care for children during this terrible immigration crisis. Our Espanol ministry let by Gilberto Corredera is stepping up to the challenge to express the love of Jesus. We are broken-hearted and determined to act
— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) June 19, 2018
Graham said Ivanka promptly reached out to the church and made a personal donation of $50,000.
“The beauty of America and the people in our church is that we don’t have to wait for our politicians to sort out their disagreements in order to do what is right,” the Baptist pastor said in a written statement. “Our country is facing complex issues that will take time to fix, but this shouldn’t delay or stop our response to the needs of others.”
The pastor said the ministry will be headed by Gilberto Corredera, the church’s “Español pastor.” He will work with other leaders and officials to make an assessment trip to the Rio Grande Valley, ground zero for the massive influx of unaccompanied minors and families illegally crossing the border.
The team reportedly includes Texas State Representative Jeff Leach (R-Plano). The trip is tentatively scheduled for July.
“What the kids really need most is someone to brighten their day. They need someone to give them hope,” Graham continued. “Our plan is to create an event for the children that will encourage them and make them smile. Of course, we will also focus on how we can provide financial aid to families to assist them in their situation.”
In May, Ivanka Trump became the target of hate-filled messages connected to a photograph of her with her son, Breitbart News’ Charlie Spiering reported. Trump posted a photo of herself in a loving pose with her son on social media. The left responded with hate-filled messages claiming she was out of touch with the issue of family separation at the border.
Comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, “Isn’t it the just the best to snuggle your little one — knowing exactly where they are, safe in your arms? It’s the best. The BEST. Right, Ivanka? Right?,” AFP reported.
Writer John Pavlovitz piled on with, “If there were a Tone-Deaf Olympics, you would be its Michael Phelps.”
Trump dismissed the attacks against her, tweeting, “Focus on what is before you, on what you can control and ignore the trolls! Have a great week!”
3:3 Focus on what is before you, on what you can control and ignore the trolls!
Have a great week!— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 29, 2018
The president’s daughter also tweeted a quote from Roman Emperor Marcus Aureilius:
1:3 “If thou workest at what is before thee, following right reason seriously, vigorously, calmly, without allowing anything to distract thee…”
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 29, 2018
In addition to the $50,000 personal donation from Ivanka Trump, a church spokesman told the Dallas newspaper that the church has received an additional $20,000 from 20 individual donors. The church is asking for donations on its website.
Graham said Ivanka Trump’s donation came a few days before the president signed an executive order ending the policy of separating families at the border.
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