Trump and Melania send boxes filled with gifts to family of girl injured in Kentucky

A seven year-old girl left badly injured because of a tornado that killed her nine year-old sibling couldn’t contain her excitement after receiving boxes of Christmas gifts from Donald and Melania Trump.  

An enthusiastic Avalinn Rackley, 7, reacted to the news when filmed by her grandmother, Pam Moore, weeks after her older sister and best friend Annistyn was killed by a tornado that also destroyed the family home in Caruthersville, Missouri on December 10.

‘These boxes came in the mail, and they are from…President Trump! Both of these boxes. Can you believe it?’ Moore says as Avalinn grins with expectation. 

‘Oh my God!’ the brave little girl screams happily while wearing a back brace and matching Christmas onesies with her dad, Trent Rackley, who like Avalinn’s younger sister, Alana, suffered minor injuries. 

Meanwhile, Avalinn’s mom, Meghan Rackley, is slowly recovering from severe brain trauma, but has since woken up from a coma and was able to say her mother’s name. 

An enthusiastic Avalinn Rackley, 7, reacted to the news when filmed by her grandmother, Pam Moore, weeks after her older sister and best friend Annistyn was killed by a tornado that also destroyed the family home on December 10. She was wearing a back brace and matching Christmas onesies with her dad, Trent Rackley, who like Avalinn’s younger sister, Alana, suffered minor injuries

‘We are so encouraged by the strength and determination you have shown during this very difficult time. You will remain in our hearts for complete care and comfort as you continue to recover,’ the letter read

‘Donald and Melania Trump sent a package! They got hats signed by Donald Trump, Presidential blankets, American Girl Dolls, books signed by President Trump and Melania, pens, bracelets and so much more!’ Moore posted on Facebook on Christmas Day along with the video of Avalinn finding out about the presents. 

Moore also posted the touching letter the former president and his wife sent to lift the little girl’s spirit during this hard moment in her life.  

‘We are so encouraged by the strength and determination you have shown during this very difficult time. You will remain in our hearts for complete care and comfort as you continue to recover,’ the letter read. 

‘With your steadfast spirit, and the unwavering strength and support of your wonderful family and many friends, your future potential is limitless.’ 

Avalinn’s mother, Meghan recovering from her injuries, after relatives said they needed a miracle for the mother-of-three and kindergarten teacher. 

‘It made my momma heart so happy to hear her say my name. She is such a strong fighter. She is going to continue to improve each and every day,’ Moore posted about her daughter on December 23.  

Avalinn Rackley, 7, was filmed wearing a neck brace and using a walker to cruise down the hallway at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital less than a week after surgery in a video posted by her grandmother Sunday

Also on Sunday, Avalinn draws a heart around a picture of her and her sister Annistyn, who was killed by one of the deadly tornadoes that swept through five Missouri Valley states on December 10

The tornado that swept away the girls’ Caruthersville home flung them, their 3-year-old sister Alanna and their parents – Meghan and Trey – into a field, killing 9-year-old Annistyn and severely wounding Avalinn and Meghan.  

The plight of the Rackley family captured the nation’s attention when a photo of Avalinn and her sisters taking shelter in their bathroom went viral after more than 30 tornadoes rampaged through Kentucky, Missouri and three other states in early December, killing at least 90 people.  Sadly, their attempt at shelter did not succeed, with horrific tragedy ensuing. 

Avalinn began a slow and steady stroll across her hospital room after a successful round of surgery for a broken vertebrae, while family members cheered her on as they found hope amid their tragedy. 

Avalinn, left, was with her older sister Annistyn, 9, holding a doll in the bathtub, and little sister Alanna, 3, taking shelter in their bathroom when one of more than 30 tornadoes destroyed their Caruthersville home. Annistyn was killed in the tornado 

The entire Rackley family was flung from their home during the devastating storms. (Pictured left to right: father Trey holding Avalinn, Annistyn, and mother Meghan holding Alanna)

The family home was among the hundreds leveled after a series of tornadoes struck five states last week

Trey, 37, and Alanna suffered less sever injuries and have been released from the hospital. 

Meghan, 32, who fell into a coma, was hospitalized in St Louis for severe brain trauma. 

Her great aunt noted that while Avalinn has been making good progress post-surgery, there is a lot of therapy to go until she fully recovers. She will also have to wear a back brace for the foreseeable future. 

‘I keep trying to wake up from this nightmare,’ she said, adding that Avalinn – Ava – is in good spirits but ready to come home.   

In a Facebook post, Moore called Ava ‘the bravest little girl’. 

‘She has won the heart of everyone in this hospital. 

‘She has been so strong. I just know that her big sister Anni is right with her. I can feel it,’ she wrote.

Hooker added of the two young girls’ relationship: ‘They were very close, obviously, just two years apart. They shared a bedroom.

‘There’s just so much tragedy involved in this.’

Avalinn  began learning how to walk again after completing back surgery. She will have to weak a back brace for the foreseeable future

Avalinn’s recovery comes as good news to the family after the death of her sister, Annistyn, pictured

Lani, aged three, was discharged from the hospital on Sunday evening

Mother Meghan Rackley, 32, (left) suffered a brain injury, large cut and several broken bones. Father Trey Rackley, 37,  suffered cuts and bruises and the youngest daughter, Alanna, 3, (right)

Emergency responders located the family and took them to a nearby hospital where Avalinn told doctors: ‘I was flying around in the tornado and I prayed to Jesus to take care of me, and he spit me out – and the tornado spit me out into the mud.’ 

Hooker said after a prayer vigil after the tragedy, searchers in the field near the Rackleys’ house found the doll that Annistyn was holding in the photo. 

Hooker said it was Annistyn’s favorite, and she called it Baby MawMaw. 

‘They brought Baby MawMaw to me, and I’m cleaning her up so that [Avalinn] can have Baby MawMaw,’ she said. 

The community continues to rally behind the family and has created a crowdfunding page to help cover funeral, medical and other expenses.

Loved ones say Annistyn, who since infancy had been battling a rare liver disorder in which bile ducts don’t develop properly, was always full of energy and delighted.

She would often don cute outfits for her cheerleading competitions, practice cartwheels and the splits, and teach herself new TikTok dances.

Hooker called her a ‘special angel.’  

‘I would just gasp because she could do the splits all the time, and she would just laugh,’ the aunt added. ‘She loved dancing.’  

Hooker found one of Annistyn’s favorite dolls, Baby MawMaw, in the wreckage of their home 

The Rackley girls (from left) Avalinn, Alanna and Annistyn posing for a family Christmas photo