Obama invites O.C. local to White House

Blooming Grove – On May 5^th, many people will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo. But for Blooming Grove resident, Sonia Ayala, May 5^th will be the day after the biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration in her life. Ms. Ayala will be returning from the White House where she will have been the guest of President and Mrs. Obama.

Ms. Ayala, a former Obama delegate, has remained active with Organizing for America. OFA is a grassroots organization made up of Obama supporters who believe the presidential campaign is the beginning of bigger change in America. Ms. Ayala is also one of the originators of Change Orange, a political action committee that formed in Orange County after the election.

\”The intention of Change Orange is to research local issues and educate voters. Obama voters are not typically involved in politics and this is a way to keep them engaged,\” said Ms. Ayala.

Change Orange is inviting people to a series of house parties where Orange County government and local issues are discussed. From tax issues, to infrastructure, to health care, to water and sewer, people are making the connection between government and their lives. This post election activity has not gone unnoticed at OFA and in DC. So, as with other activists, the President reached out and invited Ms. Ayala to Washington to show his appreciation.

Nothing could prepare her for just how personal that outreach would be. Ms. Ayala was stunned when she opened her mail earlier this week and found a formal invitation to the White House. The invitation card read, \”The President and Mrs. Obama request the pleasure of your company at a reception of Cinco de Mayo to be held at The White House, on Monday, May 4, 2009, at 5 o’clock, East Entrance.\”

Ms. Ayala is making her travel plans to Washington and will spend a couple of days in DC before returning to Blooming Grove, work and local grass roots organizing.