For hundreds down on their luck, it is a dream come true. A US businessman waved a magic wand, and spent a cool $1.6 million (Rs 7.7 crore), to invite them to witness Barack Obama's inauguration.
For hundreds down on their luck, it is a dream come true. A US businessman waved a magic wand, and spent a cool $1.6 million (Rs 7.7 crore), to invite them to witness Barack Obama's inauguration.
"I'd never had imagined on being here," said an excited Martha Young, as she relished the luxury of a Washington hotel yesterday as the guest of Earl Stafford (pictured), the businessman behind the innovative People's Ball.
Young said she had been "living from paycheck to paycheck. Just enough to eat and, you know, pay my bills."
She is among 300 people invited to join the inauguration festivities by Stafford, who has spared no expense in pampering his guests.
Rooms in the US capital's Marriott Hotel, evening dresses and tuxedos, manicures and buffets, an invitation to the balls and ringside seats to the festivities surrounding today's historic inauguration are all included.
"I wanted to have it open for those who otherwise would have never had the opportunity to come to Washington for the inauguration," said Stafford.
He and his Stafford Foundation turned to 35 charitable organisations across the country to select who should be among the lucky ones to take part in the People's Inauguration Project.
Abused peopleAmong their numbers are hurricane victims, women who fled abusive relationships, disabled adults and children living in poverty.
Bernard Henry, a 21-year-old African-American, admitted he had been a thug as a youngster, before turning over a new leaf to become a role model for kids in his neighbourhood.
"I was kicked out of the school twice, lived a life running the streets, with drugs and alcohol and then I changed my life," he said.
