This diary is to help get the word out about a great idea from the Northwest Suburbs for Obama group.
The event is 44 for 44 and is described as follows:
Please join us in honoring our 44th President Barack Obama by participating in '44 for 44' between now and Inauguration Day, focusing if possible on our national day of service, Martin Luther King Day. (January 19th this year.)
You can volunteer 44 hours, donate 44 dollars, do 44 things, talk to 44 people, make 44 phone calls, knock on 44 doors, write to 44 soldiers, help 44 children, donate 44 items to a food pantry, donate 44 books to a library...or any other community service you choose to do.
Once you've decided, please email a description of your 'pledge'. We'll post them so everyone can enjoy knowing what everyone else is doing, and perhaps inspire others. (Unless you state otherwise, we'll use first name and last initial only.)
CHANGE WE CAN ACT ON!
Look below the fold for further details...
The "NW Suburbs of Chicago for Obama" group has done some outstanding work over the course of the primaries and, of course, the general election.
Continuing in that tradition, Michele Hardman, one of the organizers of the group, is trying to organize an event to answer President-Elect Obama's call to service as well as to honor his taking office as the 44th President of the United States.
With her permission, I have posted the e-mail she sent out to the group below. Please give it a read and, more importantly, consider an act of service to the common good in whatever way makes the most sense for you.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michele Hardman <info@nws4obama.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Subject: [NWSuburbsofChicagoforObama] 44 for 44 Spread the Word (and read what others are doing!)
To: NW Suburbs of Chicago for Obama! <NWSuburbsofChicagoforObama@groups.barackobama.com>
44 Acts of Giving for our 44th President's Call to Service
As I head off to DC tomorrow to help and participate, I am so touched by how far and wide this idea of doing 44 acts of giving to our communities for the incoming 44th President is spreading. And, what great ideas you have committed to fullfiling!!! My eyes well up as I re-read them. I am truly touched at how many of you are helping make 44 for 44th a reality.
NOW let's spread it even further. We have one week to go and this is amazing. My original goal was to get 44 of you all to participate. We have exceeded that in the last few days. My Blackberry keeps pinging with each new sign-up and report.
It is a glorious sound - that little ping of participation.
BUT NOW --- I want more from you all! I want pings from all over, not just local. Let's work together to make this a national virtual event.
What if we could get fellow citizens from 44 out of our 50 states to join in? Do you know anyone else in another state you could tell about the project? If so, please send them an email and the following link so they too can join in on our virtual event:
http://www.usaservice.org/...
We only have a week to reach out. But I know we can do this too. Who do you know in another state that you could encourage to join in with us? I bet you will be surprised at how many states you can find a friend in to contact with this idea. If we all help -- America will become better for it.
Each of them could do something in their own communities like the ideas you have submitted to me so far. You can even email them straight from the link's site on USAservice.org.
Here's a small sampling of what you have already committed to on 44 for 44th:
-40+ volunteers helped feed over 140 at a Soup kitchen in Chicago
-A blood drive in Cary is committed to getting donations for 44 pints of blood
-$44 in contributions have gone to numerous charities including the Red Cross and Special Olympics
-44 postcards are being sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan
-Multiples of 44 books are being donated to the libraries and schools all around the area
-Multiples of 44 cans of food are being donated to several pantries around IL
-A fund raiser is being held for the Women's shelter as well as a big number of donations
-44 dresses so girls can go to a dance
-44 outfits for women interviewing for jobs
-Volunteering at a rehab hospital
-Volunteering with PADS to HOPE
-44 updates on the internet for accuracy and truthfulness
And, more ideas are coming in every hour.
Thanks so much for making this a reality -- even as a virtual event. Now please remember to spread the word, send me pictures, and even your stories once you complete your commitment of 44 for 44th. I can't wait to hear what you have all been up to, as well as to see if we can get 44 state's to participate.
Look for me in the orange coat at the Swearing-in!
Best wishes for all our futures in a newly hopeful America!
Michele Hardman
Organizer, NW Suburbs for Obama
michele.hardman at gmail.com