60,000 Volunteer for Inauguration; Most Won't Make Cut

[Pirate Smile]

Source: Washington Post

By Michael E. Ruane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 1, 2009; Page A01

An unprecedented 60,000 people have sent applications to the Presidential Inaugural Committee to volunteer for activities surrounding the swearing-in of Barack Obama -- even if it means simply giving directions or friendly hellos to out-of-towners at airports and Metro stops.

With several days of events, including the Jan. 20 swearing-in, the committee needs between 15,000 and 18,000 volunteers, officials said. That's three times as many as were called upon for the inaugurations of George W. Bush.
Committee spokesman Kevin Griffis said: "There's a hunger out there. People want to get involved. People want to be a part of this thing . . . a part of history."

Officials have thinned the applicant pool to about 27,000, said Tripp Wellde, the committee's director of volunteers. They've been screening the offers via questionnaires that focus on availability and capability. But the applications keep coming in through the committee's Web site, with a deadline set for 11:59 p.m. tomorrow.

Volunteers will be responsible for their own transportation and housing, and they won't be paid, Wellde said. Those selected won't necessarily get within a mile of the nation's first African American president, but they will be provided with food, a special commemorative credential and a red winter cap.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/31/AR2008123103082.html?hpid=topnews

[Bombero1956]

1. um

shouldn't it be a blue cap?

[HopeHoops]

4. Think about it - EVERYONE will be in blue - red will stand out!

[babylonsister]

2. How great that so many volunteered! I love it! nt

[aquart]

3. I'm thinking whips and clubs will be more useful.

I've done crowd control, but this is going to make that Walmart's sale look like a moon landing.

[Ocracoker16]

5. sounds like a hard job

There will be so many people packed together. I hope nobody yells fire.