Jacquie Kubin
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WASHINGTON, January 19, 2013 – With trademark rolled up sleeves, Mrs. Obama by his side, a busy pre-inaugural president led today’s day of service, the starting point of the Inaugural Weekend themed “ Our People, Our Future.”
President and Mrs. Obama spent time helping out with school improvement projects, specifically helping to stain shelving, at Burrville Elementary in Washington, DC.
“This is really what America is about. This is what we celebrate,” Obama said. “This inauguration . . . should also be an affirmation that we’re all in this together and that we’ve got to look out for each other.”
The President and First Lady where joined in their message by Chelsea Clinton, honorary chair of the national Day of Service.
Estimates are that more than 13,000 people attended today’s “signature service event” The National Day of Service” fair on the mall. Attendees were able to visit with approximately 100 charitable and community service groups from the areas of health, environment, veterans and military families, faith, education, economic development and “community resilience” which speaks to the rebuilding of areas and families following national disasters such as Sandy Hook, Katrina or Hurricane Sandy.
The President’s message: Sign up and do something to help your community.
“Presidents have incorporated events that they hoped would continue, much like President Bush who began the tradition of the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball,” committee spokeswoman Addie Whisenant said. “In asking Americans to continue serving their communities throughout each year, President Obama also hopes that the Day of Service becomes a tradition for future inaugurals.”
This year’s day of service event redoubles the President’s message of volunteerism first given Inaugural weekend 2009.
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