<div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><p class="gmail-MsoTitle" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:28pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-0.5pt">“Beyond the Six Dots”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">August 2021 Newsletter</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We use a white cane, slate & stylus, and screen readers
in between,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We read from the left, write from the right, and will tap
tap onto any scene.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We want our communities to know what we’ve got, a commitment
to serve,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Beyond the Six Dots!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">WE’VE GOT SUNSHINE</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In celebration of Happiness Happens Month, here’s your
sunshine for the month of August. Follow us to the corner of Happy and Healthy.
“No medicine cures what happiness cannot.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Question: Why didn’t the elephant buy a suitcase for his
summer vacation?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Answer: Because he already has a trunk!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Don’t think about it, laugh about it!</p>
<h1 style="margin:12pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:16pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><b> </b></h1>
<h1 style="margin:12pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:16pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><b>POPPED TO THE TOP</b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NFB COMMUNITY SERVICE DIVISION wants to thank all the
popcorn lovers that made our annual fundraiser a popping success! Because of
your generous donations and your buttery love for delicious treats, our
Division not only reached our goal of $10,000! They doubled their efforts in
Double Good style! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Now that we have had a taste of the cheddar greatness, we would
like to take this moment to give “POPS” to some very special people. Roll
call…Thank you, Gloria Nathan-Cherry for organizing an Allstar fundraiser, and
Marvin Griffin also known as the “Pop King” who was our top pop seller that
sold over $1,800 of delicious popcorn. Wow! Now that’s a whole lot of carmel
cheesy. We also want to give a kernel salute to the Willing Workers Committee. Your
participation and dedication to our community project put the ‘fun’ in fundraiser!
Last but not least, thank you to all the supporters not to mention the hungry
bellies for popping with us! </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">MEET THE BOARD</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Community Service Division recently held an election and
voted in all of the following members. It is an honor to introduce our newly
elected and those re-elected for another term. These individuals exemplify
dedication, compassion, and the spirit of serving! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Jeanetta Price BSW, M. Ed, President </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ms. Price is a bold, beautiful, black woman, Texas raised,
and hot water cornbread fed. Ms. Price is an Alumni of Lamar University,
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition, she works as a
License Mortgage Loan Originator. Ms.
Price is known for her high-spirit, unwavering faith, divine compassion for
others, community service endeavors, and advocacy on behalf of the blind
community and beyond. With that being said, Ms. Price humbly serves as
President of The National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division
for her third consecutive term. Want He
do it!? Ms. Price leads with love, hope, and determination to change
communities all over the world one service at a time. Ms. Price strongly
believes that the PRICE is right now to get involved by serving others wherever
you are so that they can live the life they want.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mirranda Williams BSW, Vice President </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mrs. Williams is an
original Georgia Peach that was transplanted to the soil of Baltimore, Maryland
in 2017. Mrs. Williams stated, “I am married to the chocolate chip to my
cookie, Antonio Williams for a little over eight years. “Mrs. Williams
educational background is comprised of an AS in Special Ed from Albany State University,
BSW from Morgan State, and this coming spring22, she will receive her MSW. Mrs.
Williams have been completely blind since the age of 15. She attended the
Louisiana Center for the Blind in 2011 and became active in portions of the NFB
since then. However, the most important things about her goes a little like
this: “My favorite color is purple, I love R&B, and my favorite thing to
eat is potatoes in any form.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Daria Bannerman, Secretary</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Daria have been a part of the Community Service Division of
the National Federation of the Blind since March of 2021. She works as an
Employment specialist. Daria mentioned what she enjoys about both roles is the opportunity
to have an impact on people and changing people’s lives. Daria stated that she
loves being a part of an organization that enjoys giving back to the community
with lots of love, support and fun. She
is excited about her new role as secretary. In this role, Daria will keep track
of any ideas about different projects, and have a chance to collaborate with
people all over the world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Natalie Segura, Treasurer </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Natalie is your ideal “Country Girl” with the boots, hat,
and heart the size of Texas in which she resides. Natalie is always willing to help others and
utilizes her horses as rescue animals during the floods in Houston, Texas.
Natalie has been elected to her second term as Treasurer, and she enjoys
keeping the books while serving in her boots. Three fun facts about Natalie: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">1. Hobby: Fishing </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">2. Favorite Food:
Seafood </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">3. Cooking is her superpower! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Marvin K. Griffin, Board Member </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A man whose love affair with the arts spans 4 decades. From
sketching and sculpting as a teen, to singing to thousands weekly for the past
15 years, to cooking for his family and friends, Marvin has been loyal to the
sweet rewards of artistic expression. Since losing his eyesight in 2011,
Marvin’s plight is to continue to be an inspiration and a steadfast example of
true human resiliency. He volunteers at his church as the Men’s choir director,
tends to his own garden, and has even gone deep sea fishing occasionally. Though
these are hobbies to many, Marvin uses these activities to dispel the “I can’t”
mentality. In his spare time, he reads mystery detective novels and is
currently teaching himself to play the bass guitar.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kamille Richardson, Board Member</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kamille hales from the great state of North Carolina. She is
a recent addition to the community service division. In July 2021, she was
elected as one of three board members. Her mother, who was A strong presence in
her life, influenced her community service journey. She led with a servant’s
heart which inspired Kamille to do the same. Kamille especially enjoys serving
in the Area of assistive technology. She often assists others with navigating
the zoom platform and any other technology needs that may present themselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. LaShawna Fant, Board Member </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Fant is from the state of Mississippi. She has been on the Community Service
Division board for three years. In July
2021, she was elected as one of three board members. As a child, she saw family and community
members demonstrate generosity and kindness to one another. Hence, she has lived her life helping mankind
and lending her services to strengthen communities. Her life’s focus is to make this world a
little better by fulfilling God’s purpose for her life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">WISH UPON A STAR</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We regret to inform our community about the passing of one
of our dearest members, Star-Shemah White. She was a flickering light that set
afire in many hearts and will always live long in our memory. Our federation
family sends healing prayers and comforting hugs to her family, friends, and to
all those touched by her sparkling spirit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the
sorrow. May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow." Author
Unknown</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">THE ARCH DOESN’T END HERE</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">“To be connected with a group of fabulous Willing Workers is
phenomenal!”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The magnificent colors of hope were brightly and brilliantly
showcased throughout our seminar on July 8th during the National Federation of
the Blind 2021 National Convention. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Reflections by </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">June ‘No Smoke’ Hunter</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">“Talana Townsend shared about being hopeful and expecting
brighter days! She went on to compare it to a rainbow; you need both rain and
sun to make its color appear. In her own magnetic way, she told us to say it
again and again. Her message was so powerful it inspired me to add my own twist!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">H- is for HAPPINESS </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">O- is for OPPORTUNITIES </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">P-is for PERSISTENCE </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">E-is for ENDURANCE & EXCELLENCe”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Remember: “The most important thing is to enjoy your life,
to be happy, it’s all that matters.”-Unknown </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Adrienne Nelson </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">“My reflection with the seminar was super-Popilious. To be
connected with a group of fabulous Willing Workers is phenomenal. I am so very grateful to be a blessing
sharing my voice whether speaking, texting or singing gives me great joy. Thank
You Lord for hearing my prayers to be surrounded by heart felt beautiful people
with such energy, strength and creativity to be confident and bold enough to
take a stand to serve when they can and how they can.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I enjoyed being a part of the Pop-up fundraiser. I had a
bundle of popilific fun. My fingers were pecking away sending out text and
Facebook messages. I look forward to us doing this fundraiser next year. I am
so blessed to be among great and solid creative family. We are a voice in this
world speaking loud with a whole bunch of plentiful and overflowing substances
that brings forth much rich and gratifying volume full of marvelous impact and
support.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Kim Davis, Director of Volunteers </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ronald McDonald House </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">“Looking back on working with the National Federation of the
Blind makes my heart very happy. Jeanetta first reached out to me asking to
team up and work together a month or back and I thought, of course we want to
do this! But little did I know how above and beyond this amazing group of
people would go! Everyone came together and put a lot of effort into getting us
items that we need around the Ronald McDonald House that help make the families
that stay with us more comfortable and feel at Home. These items are so
important to us and the families here at RMH. So having a group of people
willing to come together to get us blankets, toiletry kits, snack bags, notes
of encouragement, and just overall love and support was absolutely amazing. We
really felt the love! We knew to be expecting these items for delivery, but let
me tell you, when they came in, we were truly over joyed by the outcome. You
could tell so much love and support were put into the project. Everything was
so nice and cute and perfectly packaged for us to hand out to the families. The
blankets were adorable and cozy. We were so insanely excited to get everything
to the families because we knew they were going to love everything as much as
we did. And of course, the Notes of Encouragement, including some with braille
was just so special. I felt like it really connected the groups together. You
never know what others are going through but being able to learn about and
support others even when you're going through something difficult is just so
beautiful. This idea really touched my heart as I'm sure it did with our
families here as well. And we can't forget about the wonderful CSD seminar. The
energy was electric. I was smiling the whole time. So much happiness and joy
and love. What an amazing and wonderful group of people!! I am so so so grateful
for everything the National Federation of the Blind did for RMH Maryland. We
are so appreciative and grateful for the support you all provided to us. We
can't thank you enough. We love you!!”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We hope you had an excellent convention experience and found
strength and motivation within our seminar. Remember, when you mix vibrant
sunlight and droplets of rain, beautiful hearts will come together to build a
community of rainbows. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A SWEET GEORGIA TREAT</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Written by Adrienne Nelson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">August is national Peach Month! Drum roll please… raising
the curtain for our CSD’s Georgia sweet peach! A Georgia peach is a sweet
delight when picked at the right time and during the right Season. Allow me to
introduce one of the sweetest peaches from our Community Service Division. Her
spirit is sparkling and bubbly like expensive champagne, her heart is golden
and exquisite as the rarest and most flawless jewel. She is always helpful,
compassionate, and understanding; a symbol of love. Even though she is
knowledgeable with technology and knows her skill. The most beautiful,
gratifying and outstanding feature about Julie Moses is the lovely and devoted Mom
that she is. I enjoy hearing her journey through motherhood. Julie and her
daughter, Brenlee, know how to make your day so full of awesomeness and
amazingness with an abundance of joy!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From June’s Kitchen, Georgia Peach Cobbler Ingredients:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Peaches peeled and sliced, unsalted butter, flour, sugar,
brown sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Bake
at 375 degrees. Sprinkle toppings with that brown sugar and then BAMMMMM!!!!! You
got Julie's magic!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"When life gets blurry adjust your focus.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We thank Julie Moses for inspiring and empowering our blind communities.
We appreciate everything that you do and declare you as a peach who’s eager to
teach! We admire your compassion to serve and your commitment to go ‘beyond the
six dots’! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">ONE EYE GLASS AT A TIME</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Written by Donavon Cavender </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">“A Lion’s Story”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">My name is Donavon Cavender. I am a board member of the NFB
of Arkansas and the Vice President of the at-large chapter of the NFB of Arkansas.
I have been a member of the local Lions club here in Harrison, Arkansas since
2018.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Harrison Noon Lion’s Club does three things when it
comes to helping people with their eyesight. One of them is that we help
recycle old glasses that people are not using anymore. We have multiple places
in town where people can drop those off. Every so often one of the Lion’s Club
members goes around to collect the glasses and take them to the eye center at
Walmart to be sent out to be recycled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We also help out with the local school district by providing
our service to help check the students' eyes. We have a machine that will scan
their eyes and it will let us know if the student needs glasses or not. If they
do them then the machine will print out a referral for them to take to their Eye
Doctor.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, our organization assist those who cannot afford
eyeglasses or even the eye exam at an Eye Doctor. We do have an application
process for that person to go through to help us determine if that person is
eligible for the financial assistant. We as the local Lion’s Club have
partnered with at least one of the local Eye Doctors to help cover the cost of
the eye exam and the glasses.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is one of the many ways the Harrison Noon Lion’s Club
helps serve the community of Harrison, Arkansas and the surrounding area.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">FAMILY FUN DAY</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Written by Leigh Starbright</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We were super excited whenever our parents would rush into
our bedrooms first thing in the morning and shout excitedly, “Wake up, wake up!
It’s family fun day!” When we were little ones, it could mean anything; a day
at the pool or going to the local town fair with the hopes of cotton candy. It
was always a surprise and we didn’t mind the suspense. My siblings and I would
get up and dressed so fast, we were like little miniature road runners. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As we got older though, our parents would trick us from time-to-time.
Our Family Fun days would have an extra surprise or two. I think the first
trick was when we were all going to spend the weekend at our grandparent’s
house. They were driving the wrong direction and Mom told us we had to make a
little stop before going to see Grandma and Grandpa. Apparently, our Dad knows
how to trim trees! And he had a job in mind for each one of us. We were going
to be his tree trimming cleanup crew, then have lunch with the elderly couple
that couldn’t stop thanking us for all of our help. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Now don’t get us wrong, we eventually had fun once we got
into the groove of being a helper, but we became more like the cautious coyote
whenever there was the burst of enthusiasm for a Family Fun day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Our parents were always helping a family member, friend,
colleague, neighbor, or a lot of the times, a stranger. I remember I was in my
teens when one of our neighbors was not able to go grocery shopping for herself
anymore. Whenever we went to the store, my Mom would always call and ask Mrs.
Wonder if she needed anything while we were out. On this particular day, Mom
asked if I would deliver Mrs. Wonder’s groceries so she could get our dinner
started. I tried every excuse I could think of to get out of doing it, but
nothing was working.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I didn’t want to admit then, but I was nervous about going
to her house by myself. I had never been there without one of my parents and
what if I don’t do it right? Mrs. Wonder was always friendly and nice to us,
that wasn’t the issue. I just wasn’t sure if I was ready to help a blind person
all by myself. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I grudgingly walked over and knocked on her door. She told
me to come in and wipe my feet on the rug. Trying to think of all the ways I
had seen my parents interact with Mrs. Wonder, I told her who I was and that I
had four bags of groceries for her. I took everything out of the bags, then one
by one, asked where she would like for me to put that particular item. Much to
my surprise, we sorted through all the groceries fairly quickly and felt
confident that I had done it right! This wasn’t so bad after all, as a matter
fact, I realized I had gotten myself all worked up over nothing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the groceries were all sorted and put away, Mrs.
Wonder asked if I would sit and talk with her for a few minutes. I don’t know
if she saw my nervousness when I first arrived, but this was the first time she
and I had ever had a one-on-one conversation. It was nice. We talked about my schoolmates,
classes, and teachers. The movies I watched, the music I liked, and the books I
read. I had learned that she wasn’t a fan of televised news and thoroughly missed
being able to read her daily newspapers while drinking her morning cup of hot
tea. Before I even realized what I was doing, I volunteered to read the
newspaper to her. I told her I wasn’t very good at reading aloud, but I was
willing to give it a try, if she would like. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">You would have thought I was Ed McMann with a smile so big.
She was so ecstatic it was intoxicating! I was eager to start reading her
newspaper that very moment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I spent the next seven years reading anything and everything
she wanted me to. Newspapers, magazines, cookbooks, short novels, old family
letters and greeting cards. I learned so much from her; some of my favorite
teen memories were spent with her. And as an added bonus, my confidence in
reading aloud eventually got me a summer job at our local library!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">My siblings and I are all grown up and have families of our
own now. Often, we reminisce about all the family fun days and the added tricks
over the years. Don’t tell Mom & Dad, but some of our best memories come
from those ‘little stops’ along the way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">REPRESENT
YOUR STATE</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">South
Carolina 65<sup>th</sup> Annual State Convention</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">Friday, August
20<sup>th</sup> to Sunday, August 22<sup>nd</sup> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">To register
for the virtual convention, visit:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfbofsc.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEE_wZGIA6pEMyfLmG8jFMX7xcEkQ" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,204);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">www.nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">RESOURCES</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eye Health month! Don’t take your eyes for granted! Learn
how to take care of them, get the facts about specific eye problems, and help
others learn about healthy vision.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Lions Clubs</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To make a donation or to find a club near you, visit:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="https://www.lionsclubs.org/en" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://www.lionsclubs.org/en</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">EDITOR’S
NOTES</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We want to feature you in our next issue! Write about your personal
experience with your community service project and submit the article by the first
of the month.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We also want to help promote your community projects and
state affiliate events. Share your calendar with Beyond The Six Dots and we
will feature your events in the ‘Represent Your State’ section of our next issue.
Contact our editor to submit your calendar events and featured articles. (The editor
may edit the Length and/or wording of your article.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NFB Community Service Division</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Jeanetta Price</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Email: <a href="mailto:price.jeanetta@gmail.com" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">price.jeanetta@gmail.com</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mobile: (409) 344-1005</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Newsletter Editor: Maggie Stringer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Email: <a href="mailto:Ravensfan784@gmail.com" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">Ravensfan784@gmail.com</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mobile: (443) 750-0070</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">ONE
MINUTE MESSAGE</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations
of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people
and our dreams. We are survivors!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p></div></div></div></div></div>