news-record.com

North Carolina ranks No. 21 in donations from residents to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration committee. California, New York, Illinois, Florida and Washington, D.C., top the list with $14 million of the $24 million given by individual donors.

Individuals in North Carolina have given $117,650, according to finance disclosures posted on the Web site for the inauguration committee (www.pic2009.org//page/content/donors).

THE RICH AND FAMOUS: California outpaced all other states, thanks to the number of contributors as well as big-dollar donations from famous names such as former basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson, film industry mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg and actress Sharon Stone.

STINGY STATES: As of Dec. 31, Iowa, New Hampshire and West Virginia have been the least generous states, kicking in only $250 apiece.

HOW YOU CAN GO: Many of the inauguration activities and tickets have been handed out, but the committee is offering a chance to win tickets by way of an essay contest. Entries must be submitted by Thursday. For an entry form or more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/9ashfy

NORTH CAROLINA'S DONORS: Twenty-one residents have contributed to the fund. Among them:

• Elizabeth Brown, High Point: $250
• James E. Cheek, Greensboro: $250
• Susan Higgins, Charlotte: $10,250
• Wendell McCain, Chapel Hill: $25,000
• Robert Perkowitz, Charlotte: $25,000
• Livina Thomas, High Point: $250
• Mary Wheeler, Cornelius: $50,000

N.C. BUNDLERS: Three individuals are listed as assembling groups of donations, or "bundles":

• John Crumpler, Raleigh: $100,000
• Steven Lerner, Chapel Hill: $100,000
• Kobi Brinson, Charlotte: $25,000

- Staff Writer Mark Binker