I'm loving this story.

[rivka]

They are victims of hurricanes and women who suffered in abusive relationships; they are disabled adults and children scarred by poverty. Some suffer from terminal illness. They arrived in Washington by plane, train and automobile from as far away as New Orleans, Galveston, Tex., and Wichita, invited to witness one of the biggest events in a generation.

"Prince, you are stepping up!" Prince Brooks said to himself as he walked into the elegant lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel, surrounded by chandeliers, liveried bellmen and ornate furnishings. "I've got to make the most of it."

Brooks, 57, a homeless veteran, was among hundreds of people from across the country whom Fairfax County businessman Earl W. Stafford invited to attend an inaugural ball in space he rented at the Marriott, two blocks from the White House.

Stafford conceived of it as a simple idea: celebrate the inauguration of the nation's first African American president by inviting to Washington as many people as he could afford, people whose health or economic circumstances would prohibit them from making the trip on their own.

He called it the People's Inaugural Ball and planned other events, including a nighttime tour on the visitors' first evening in Washington, a prayer breakfast and a luncheon today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Stafford told a team of volunteers working with him to provide his guests with everything they need, including luxury accommodations and gowns and tuxedos for the ball. [...]

Then volunteers from the Northern Virginia chapter of the National Urban League started contacting men and women who wanted to donate evening gowns and tuxedos. Hundreds of gowns poured in -- so many that volunteers had to announce that no more could be accepted. Two hundred tuxes came in. A shoe company in Atlanta donated 100 pairs of men's shoes. Hairdressers, barbers and manicurists offered to come in to beautify the guests. Seamstresses offered to make adjustments to any clothing.

Yesterday, the guests flooded into the hotel lobby, registering for rooms with 400-thread-count sheets and down comforters. Even as they benefited from Stafford's generosity yesterday, most of the guests said that they didn't know who he was or that he was spending $1.6 million on them.

I know they have a lot of balls to attend, but I really hope the Obamas stop by that one.

Comments

[txanne.livejournal.com]

I've been grinning like an idiot a hopeful person for about a week now. I know Obama is to my right (well, I'm a socialist, so *everybody* in Washington is to my right)...but it seems to me that he's made it possible for us to expect a lot of ourselves. If that makes sense.

[redbird]

Well, Bernie Sanders isn't to my right, and might not be to yours, but generally, yes.

[txanne.livejournal.com]

::laughs:: OK, I'll grant you Bernie Sanders.

[ailsaek.livejournal.com]

Wow. I hadn't heard that story. Thanks for passing it on.

[marith.livejournal.com]

Thank you for passing that on. Damn, if people keep acting like this, our country will get better. :)

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that's beautiful. I keep seeing these types of stories for this inauguration. It's so inspiring and uplifting! Movement! Onward!

I am so excited for tomorrow.

N.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

I remembered there was an earlier article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/03/AR2008120304095_pf.html) about Stafford and his choice.

I'm going to tape the inauguration tomorrow -- I don't get up that early and I have PT in the afternoon.

[ailbhe]

The President Who Thought ALL The People Were Real People.

I hope this is the news item Linnea remembers from her childhood.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

How wonderful!