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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Californian FB","serif"'>Hello all-<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Californian FB","serif"'>Sorry I neglected to mention an inspiration that I had while shopping on two separate occasions. Once while shopping at a clothing store, the clerk asked if I would like to donate a dollar to the American Diabetes Association. the donation was added on to the total at the Point of Sale. Another similar donation opportunity was at a 7-Eleven Convenience Store. The clerk similarly asked if I would like to make a two dollar donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Again, this was done on the register at the Point of Sale. We could do something like this if we could gain a sponsoring corporation. A timely month would be October during Meet the Blind Month. The potential here is great. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Californian FB","serif"'>With regard to the national fundraising activity, it seems that October would lend itself well to that concept too. WE all , or hopefully, all of our chapters, are engaged in Meet the Blind month activities already. I think this would be a fantastic opportunity to raise money and educate the public while we are at it! Combining efforts will make a lot of opportunity for press coverage and added public awareness. We could also provide a lot of support and planning across the organization. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Californian FB","serif"'>Lastly, as far as goal setting is concerned. I thought of the annual United Way campaign. Each local United Way has a fund raising campaign that is widely advertised and supported throughout the community. There are always posters with the thermometers indicating how much of the goal has been achieved, exactly like we used on the Imagination Fund individual and team WebPages. I think having a goal is a crucial aspect of asking people to raise money. To me, it is like having a map or a GPS with you on a trip. We know what direction we would like to go but not the exact directions without having a goal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Californian FB","serif"'>Hope everyone has a great week and a wonderful thanksgiving!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Californian FB","serif"'>Jeannie <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></body></html>