Over 100,000 ordinary Americans responded to a call to volunteer for the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, and the first African American to hold this highest office in the country. Of those 100,000 the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) could only take around 15,000 volunteers to aid in making this inauguration the most open and accessible in history.
Volunteers served in a variety of ways during the weekend prior to the inauguration doing anything from organizing volunteer materials to answering phone calls to assisting special events and balls and crowd control at Sunday's "We are one" concert. Most volunteer groups on Inauguration day were around 20 strong and lead by someone selected by PIC. We were instructed to dress warm, but still business casual. Thankfully we were provided with a bright red red beanie hat, entry credentials, free handwarmer packets, and complimentary lunch from Cosi.
Volunteers showed up in their designated areas at 5am and either worked on the national mall for the swearing in cermony or on the parade route guiding the general public to through access points and ticketed areas. Among the types of jobs were Information Volunteers giving directions and providing assistance to spectators; ADA Volunteers helped individuals with disabilities get to the designated accessible areas; There were also Metro volunteers and runners deliver messages from team to team.
Contributions on this blog are from those stationed as Bleacher volunteers right along the parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue, at the very location were the new President and the First Lady stepped out of their car to walk and wave to the crowd. Though we shared similar responsibilities, we all have a unique perspective on historic moment, whether through writing, pictures, or video. Enjoy!
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