So...we sent a deserving young student to the inauguration.
It's a long story, but Miz t. and I recently began doing some volunteer work at our local youth club center.
They provide free after school, Saturday, and summer programs and activities for kids age 5 to 14.
There are classes in music, dance, math, art, English, and various field trips.
The center is open to all comers, but the kids are mostly from poorer black families.
The director is an amazing woman who I am very proud to call a friend.
She just took over about a year ago and her dream was to send a busload of her kids to Obama's second inauguration. She lived in D.C. for a time, doing this same kind of work with children, and had many contacts there.
The kids would stay with and be fed by some of her friends from her church and civic organizations.
About the only 'out-of-pocket' cost would be transportation...a chartered bus.
$345 per passenger, round trip.
When she told us about her plan I looked at Miz t. and saw her eyes start to glisten.
And then my vision also got kind of blurry.
We're retired and don't have a lot of money, but...how could we not?
We also contacted like minded friends (Democrats here in bright red Alabama) and were able to get 3 more donations, one from our local Democratic club.
We, with a lot of help, also drummed up donations of a slew of (healthy) snacks and water to take along for the trip.
On Saturday, her dream became a reality.
15 kids age 9-14 got on the brand new (2000 miles) blue Freightliner bus along with 5 chaperones/minders and left Foley, Alabama for the trip to D.C. All 15 are on the honor rolls of their schools. To say that they were ecstatic would be an understatement.
This is an experience that they will never forget.
One they'll tell their kids and grandkids about.
And Miz t. and I both feel very fortunate to have had a small part in it.
GOBAMA!
From WPMI channel 15 in mobile:
Video: http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/story/Some-Foley-Students-Heading-to-Presidential/nXexo1M3IUuhe-PCrxlFuQ.cspx
FOLEY, Ala. (WPMI) Fourteen youngsters from the Snook Youth Club in Foley will be in Washington for the inauguration Monday.
The field trip is sponsored by a parent committee with donations from local community groups and churches. The students were chosen based on merit and are all honor roll students at their respective schools.
"This is an opportunity for our students to be involved in a civic engagement. To actually see the democratic process in reality and up close," said Deborah Ferguson, Director of Snook Youth Club.
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Thanks you and Miz t and everyone!
You and the Missus are angels right here on earth. I also work w/disadvantaged kids at a non-prof here in one of the poorest parts of CA, and I too have dreams for our young ones. Nice to see that dreams do come true! You've inspired me today! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.... you two are amazingly good people. 
And damned if I can explain it.
Parental example?
Upbringing?
I don't know.
Maybe it's selfish because it just makes us feel so damn good.
On another level, I'd rather use whatever resources I have to make a difference in an individual's life.
We don't give to the 'institutionalized' Big Charities.
We'd much rather try to make a difference on the local scene.
Something I wish more folks would do.
Now this.... You're the best.
What a wonderful thing to do for these young people! You're right, they have bragging rights the rest of their lives! Kudos to all who participated, and thank you for sharing!
...why heck, that's right down there in the water! Baldwin County? Well, thank you for working for this dream come true for all those lucky kids. You are so lucky to have someone as connected as the director in your community. You are an angel walking the earth, dear heart. I know how people feel down there about having to "pay SCHOOL TAXES, if they don't have any kids in school." Cheers and love to you and your wife!
EVERY elected official in the county (in races where you declare political party) is repug.
Happily, city council races are 'non-partisan'.
I was somewhat instrumental in getting the first black woman elected to the Foley City Council.
I was her campaign treasurer.
She was elected in 2008, and ran unopposed in 2012.
Last week she told me she wanted to close out her campaign account and donate the money to the inauguration trip.
Great!
Her granddaughter was one of the kids who went.
...you keep on keeping on paying it forward every chance you get. I didn't live down there very long (I lived in northern Baldwin Co.) The whites were so prejudiced, and the blacks were scared to death to open their mouths and rock the boat. So sad... 
.....citizen angels of the highest order! What a wonderful experience for those children.
you and Mrs. Trof did a great thing; those kids will ALWAYS remember that trip!!! 
Miz T must be, trof!
