First lady answers children's calls for NORAD Santa-tracking program

Story by The Hill
Written by Kyly Balluck
Photo by White House

First lady Michelle Obama spent about 30 minutes answering calls from children on Monday as part of NORAD’s Santa-tracking program, according to a White House official.

The Obamas are in Hawaii for their annual Christmas vacation.

The NORAD program, which began in 1955, attracts millions of visitors to its website from hundreds of countries and territories.

More than 1,200 volunteers staff an operation center that responds to hundreds of thousands of phone calls and emails from around the world.

Mrs. Obama gave callers Santa's latest position on NORAD's map and answered personal questions.

One girl from New Jersey, named Abigail, wanted to know the first lady's favorite Christmas song.

"My favorite Christmas song? That’s a good question, Abby. I like 'Jingle Bells,' because everybody can sing 'Jingle Bells,'" the first lady said. "What’s your favorite song?"

"Silver Bells," Abigail replied.

NORAD is posting updates of Santa’s trip to its Twitter account, @NORADSanta, and on its interactive website, www.noradsanta.org .