Republican President-elect Donald Trump's campaign manager returned to her native New Jersey Saturday night to lead a holiday parade.
Kellyanne Conway was grand marshal of Saturday's Christmas parade in Hammonton, where Trump topped Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November presidential election.
Conway was raised in Atco and graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Hammonton in 1985. She spent summers working at Indian Brand Blueberry Farms before leaving for college in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve often reflected on what it means to have been born and raised and spend the first 18 years of my life and every holiday and summer since here in Hammonton, New Jersey,” Conway said. “I feel very blessed to be a Hammontonian."
During her appearance at Saturday’s parade, Conway received a key to the city and encouraged the crowd to “do something special” during the holiday season.
“Write a ‘thank you’ note to a soldier,” she said. “Buy a coat for someone who can use it. You’ll never miss the money. Visit someone who’s homebound. Spread the real cheer and the generosity and the sheer love that comes from being in Hammonton.”
Conway also asked the crowd to pray for President Barack Obama, President-elect Trump, soldiers, veterans, police officers and first responders.
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Members of a group that bills itself an anti-fascist organization also showed up to the event to protest what it viewed as the politicization of the parade. There were no reported incidents during the protest.
Conway regularly makes media appearances on behalf of Trump and has even been spoofed on "Saturday Night Live." A memorable skit about her day off shows her free time interrupted repeatedly by having to go on CNN to explain Trump's latest tweet or statement.
