Willingboro woman gets to attend President Obama visit

Lillie Daniels’ good deeds landed her four rows back at President Barack Obama’s speech in the Philadelphia area Tuesday.

The Willingboro resident, who works tirelessly on behalf of those who cannot afford to pay their medical bills as founder and president of the Bread of Life nonprofit organization, was put on the guest list for Obama’s speech in Yeadon, Pa., by a grateful mother.

At Bread of Life’s annual fundraiser luncheon at The Merion in Cinnaminson last month, Daniels said one man who is battling cancer was so touched by the “gift of life” walk of survivors at the event that he was moved to tears.

His mother, Renee Queen Jackson, also a Willingboro resident, was so appreciative of Daniels’ efforts with Bread of Life that she decided to do something as payback. Using her connections, she got Daniels and her husband, Solomon, into Obama’s stop at a schoolhouse in Yeadon.

Queen Jackson, who is deputy chief of the Office of Early Childhood for the Philadelphia School District, said Daniels has been a “blessing” to her since her son was diagnosed with cancer in January. She has helped offer support, guidance and comfort, she said.

“When the call came from the White House that I could invite five people, Lillie came right to mind,” Queen Jackson said. “She has been there for me in a time of need.”

Obama used the occasion to announce stricter standards for grant funding for the government’s Head Start programs, which now will have to meet certain standards to qualify for federal grants. Head Start offers preschool programs for children from low-income families.

Daniels was honored to find herself in the crowd.

“I listened to this man and I know he has a compassionate heart,” she said. “It was quite an experience.”

As she looked at the dignitaries seated around her, Daniels said to herself: “God, you’ve done it for me again.”

In her nearly 70 years, she said she had never been that close to a U.S. president.

“When I got home, it hit me. I was the fourth row away from the president of the United States,” Daniels said.

In other good news, Daniels said Bread of Life has reached its goal of collecting $10,000 to be distributed to people who are having trouble paying their medical bills.

Inspired by her own battle with cancer, Daniels started the nonprofit in 2002.

For more information, visit www.breadoflifeld.com.

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