December 4, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minute
While President Obama is in Europe next week, he is expected to pick up his Nobel Prize — and the $1.4-million that goes with it.
The president has pledged to give the money to charity, and The Washington Post’s In the Loop column is asking readers to submit suggestions as part of a contest.
The column’s writer, Al Kamen, offered some potential candidates, like charities in the hometowns of lawmakers. “Maybe a little something for Democrats wavering on health-care reform?” he wonders.
“For example,” he continues, “maybe Obama could give a couple hundred large to establish the Center for the Study of Ethanol Fuel in McCook, Neb., which, oddly enough, happens to be the birthplace of Sen. Ben Nelson. Or some money to fund the Blanche Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Helena, Ark., that senator’s hometown.”
The winner of the Loop contest gets only a T-shirt, but, hey, it’s a tough economy right now.
Chronicle readers gave their own ideas for what causes Mr. Obama could support with his cash in Give & Take last month. Charmaine Smith suggested “high-quality after-school programs,” while Kevin Feldman would like the money to support families of U.S. military personnel killed in action.
What do you think? Where should Mr. Obama donate the $1.4-million?
