I will be forever grateful for their willingness, their courage and their spirit. They took a stand for what they believed in, and in the end their efforts paid off in a huge way.
After watching members of the media stand up as he entered his first press conference, the full realization that Barack Obama has actually been elected President of the United States and will take office on January 20 finally began to sink in.
Now the real work begins. As President-elect Obama said in his victory speech on Election Night, this victory, important as it is, merely provides the opportunity for change. Each of us in our daily lives will be called to support our newly-elected President and to work diligently toward a nation and a world of greater compassion, justice and sustainability.
See y’all at the Inauguration!
My deep gratitude to . . .
- Barb and Kathy Finnegan who provided me with a place to stay in Adams County and a hot meal almost every night I was there
- Doug and Susan Seipelt who graciously opened their home in Highland County to me and to campaign activities
- Dave and Judy Lanning who gave me room and board when I arrived in Chillicothe and furniture for my infrequently-used apartment
- Jay Joslin who loaned me his 2004 Kia for the duration of the campaign
- Donna Sue Groves who continued to work for the campaign even under physical and emotional strains
- Carolyn Baehr and Shonnie Lavender for service above and beyond the call of duty
- My fellow Region 3 staff members—Meagan Gardener, Brady Quirk-Garvan, Seth Bannon, Courtney Frogge, Richard Becker, Emma Levine and Graham Vesey—who were there when I most needed them
- All the volunteers in Adams and Highland Counties too numerous to mention who gave so generously of themselves and their resources
- All my friends and family in Asheville and around the nation who supported me during my time in Ohio with their energy, prayers, cards and financial aid, and those who have been so acknowledging . . . during the campaign and since I’ve been back home
Related stories
The New Organizers; What's really behind Obama's ground game
My Journey with the Obama Campaign
Obama Camp Relying Heavily on Ground Effort
Photos by: David Fox, Charlie Cameron, Shonnie Lavender and others
