Earl W. Stafford, Sr. is putting his money where his vision of America is. Stafford has ponied up $1 million dollars to make sure that disadvantaged people will be able to participate -- in style-- in Barack Obama's inauguration. Earl W. Stafford, Sr. calls his effort 'The People's Inaugural Project'. From the Washington Post:

"We wanted to . . . bless those who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to be a part of the great celebration, the inauguration and the festivities," he said in an interview yesterday. "Our objective is to bring in a cross-section of society -- those who are distressed, those who are terminally ill, those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, those veterans who are wounded and served our country."

Stafford said the idea was inspired by his deep religious faith and the good fortune that has come his way. The inauguration is an opportunity to remember the less fortunate and remind the country of its traditions of benevolence, he said.

"We've gotten away from those core values that made America great," he said yesterday at the headquarters of his company, Unitech, which provides weapons simulation systems to the military. "We just need to get back to caring about one another." ...

Interview with Earl W. Stafford, Sr.




Stafford, a technology entrepreneur, is referred to as 'The Benefactor of the Ball' by the Washington Post. Within hours of Obama's election, Stafford had snapped up Marriot's $1 million dollar Inauguration package and then announced his decision to reserve at least one-third of the rooms for injured vets, the terminally ill, financially challenged, homeless, physically disabled and others who might not otherwise have access to this perhaps once in a lifetime event. And Stafford's guests will be gifted with VIP treatment by Stafford and his team:

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

"We'll provide the venue. We'll provide all the amenities and those type of things," he said. The partnering organizations, such as the Urban League, will be allocated a certain number of rooms for people they help select. "The Urban League will be responsible for their safety, their security, for bringing them in to Washington," he said.

"There will be those who are distressed and underserved mingling with people who aren't so," he said. The needy will be "our honored guests. That's who inspire us."

He wants gowns and tuxedos to be provided, and has hired beauticians "to make it special for these people coming in," he said.

Source

This is the holiday spirit in action.

***Update***: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING ONE OF MR. STAFFORD'S GUESTS YOU MUST EMAIL THE FOUNDATION AND TELL THEM YOUR STORY. THE EMAIL IS:

INAUGURATION@THESTAFFORDFOUNDATION.ORG

Mr. Stafford is also working with THE URBAN LEAGUE to help identify attendees. You might want to reach out to your local chapters as well. CD