Microsoft and AT&T are joining 400 donors to hold the festivities to mark President Barack Obama’s second inauguration event. The total amount raised so far is although not yet revealed by the committee of Obama supporters but the list of benefactors has been disclosed It include the big corporate houses like Microsoft and AT&T. The other big names contributing money to help the festivities include-West Coast wealth manager Whittier Trust Co, health insurer Centene Corp and Genentech, the pharmaceutical company. Most of the benefactors for this gala event and grand parade are individuals.
The first presidential inauguration event held by the committee in 2009 raised a record amount of $53 million. Last time only individual donors were allowed to contribute for the event and the maximum donation amount was limited to $50,000. This year the committee is allowing corporate houses to donate for the event. Individuals can gift up to $250,000 for this year’s celebration.
This inauguration ceremony will supposedly be smaller as compared to the previous one which attracted 1.9 million visitors. In the year 2009, the organizers had hosted 10 official balls, which has been reduced to just two this year.
The gala event and the grand parade are scheduled for January 21, 2013. President Barack Obama will be sworn publicly for his second term in the event.
