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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-nbsp-mode: space;line-break:after-white-space'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Maggie Stringer is the Newsletter editor. She would be the best person to talk with about submitting articles.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Community-Service <community-service-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Bacon Fish via Community-Service<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 30, 2022 10:32 AM<br><b>To:</b> Community Service Discussion List <community-service@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Bacon Fish <rashetabunting@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Community-Service] 🫰 🫰 🫰 Please show some love for OUR OUTTA SIGHT Newsletter Team! You guys rock!!!<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Great newsletter. Who do we contact to submit articles ?<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Dec 20, 2022, at 10:37 PM, Jeanetta price via Community-Service <<a href="mailto:community-service@nfbnet.org">community-service@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I must admit, this newsletter is popping!! A great huge Texas THANK YOU to all who contributed your time, story, and most of all service. CSD is growing and glowing on purpose. Tis the season to spread joy, love, and happiness by sharing our newsletter with your friends and family. Join our movement of serving beyond the six dots. Don’t procrastinate, get involved today! <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Many blessings, <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Jeanetta <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On Dec 20, 2022, at 2:13 PM, Maggie Stringer via Community-Service <<a href="mailto:community-service@nfbnet.org">community-service@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.5pt'>“Beyond the Six Dots”</span></b><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='margin-bottom:8.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>December 2022 Quarterly Newsletter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We use a white cane, slate & stylus, and screen readers in between,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We read from the left, write from the right, and will tap tap onto any scene.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We want our communities to know what we’ve got, a commitment to serve,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Beyond the Six Dots!<o:p></o:p></p><div style='margin-bottom:8.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><a href="x-msg://13/12%20DAYS%20OF%20CSD%20SERVICE"><span style='color:#0563C1'>12 DAYS OF CSD SERVICE</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Written by Carol King-Ries, NFB of Delaware<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>It seems like it has only been a few months since we last celebrated the Winter holidays of Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanza, but a year has gone by like a flash and here we are again in the season of light, joy, and peace. As the Community Service Division (CSD) Newsletter team discussed this issue of the newsletter, we began to talk about how many people struggle during the holiday season. This can be due to many reasons such as grief, loneliness, depression, and stress. We thought it would be a good idea to incorporate 12 days of service into the CSD holiday season. I know that you are probably thinking that you do not need another thing to add to your busy holiday life but hear me out. If it does not bring joy, light, and peace to your life, and to those you are serving, do not do it! Also, you do not have to do 12 days. You can do 8 days (Hannukah), 7 days (Kwanza), or 1 day (Winter Solstice), or any amount that you choose, it is up to you. Below you will find 12 ideas that are free, or low cost that you can provide to members of your community during this holiday season. Tune up for the song…. On the first day of service, the CSD gave to me….<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #1: Send a thinking of you card to someone you know that has lost a loved one this year. </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>We all know of someone who has lost a loved one this year. This will let them know that you have not forgotten about them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #2: Call a person in your local chapter who you have not talked with in a while.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Sometimes, people think that if they are not actively engaged in a group, they do not matter to the group. Dispel that thought with a phone call. This may disband isolation for someone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #3: Give a small gift to a child whose parent may be incarcerated, deployed in the military, or hospitalized and cannot be home for Christmas.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>This will let the child know that they are not alone, and someone nearby is thinking of them. Please get the permission of the local parent/guardian first.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #4: Share a meal with a Senior Citizen that lives alone.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>This could be a meal that you make or purchase. The idea that someone is thinking of them and spending time with them may make their day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #5: Offer to be a holiday greeter at your local Senior center</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Buy some candy canes and some bells and stand at the door or front desk with a big smile and Happy Holidays on your lips. Make someone’s day better.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #6: Volunteer to gift wrap for organizations that give Christmas gifts to kids and families.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Even with my sight loss, I am one of the best gift wrappers around. Organizations need this skill this time of year, and it will add to someone’s Christmas cheer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #7: Play Braille games with a neighbor’s kids while they get things done around the house.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>If you do not know Braille, play tactile games. The kids may be fascinated by the Braille, and the parent/guardian will have the time to get something done with less stress.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #8 Pack simple bag lunches and hand them out to the homeless</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>This could be as simple as a sandwich, bag of chips, and a piece of fruit. This will require someone to help you find a group of people who are homeless, however, that person may gain from the experience as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #9: Share a song with someone who needs encouragement</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>I wish that we could send the Popcorn King, Marvin, around to make people smile with his singing; but since we cannot, we can share a song via YouTube. Friends have started doing this with me, and it has been fun to share and to smile. I do it via cellphone, but it can also be done via email.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #10: Bake a batch of cookies and share them with someone who is alone </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>This can be slice and bake cookies, or those you make from scratch, or buy from your grocer’s bakery. It is truly the sweet thought that counts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #11: Stream a holiday movie with someone</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>You can invite them to your house, or take the popcorn, candy and DVD to their house and enjoy the movie together. It can be a classic such as “A Miracle on 34th Street”, or a contemporary classic like “The Preacher’s Wife”. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Idea #12: Send Christmas cards to people who are in Nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, or group homes.</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>These are people who may not get cards. Send them some cheer via the USPS.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Please use these ideas or come up with your own. The Community Service Division (CSD) would love to hear what you did to brighten someone’s holidays.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Happy holidays to all, and a Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><a href="x-msg://13/DID%20SOMEONE%20SAY,%20POPCORN?"><span style='color:#0563C1'>DID SOMEONE SAY, POPCORN?</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Pop Right To The Top!</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>March 3rd to March 7<sup>th</sup></span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The NFB COMMUNITY SERVICE DIVISION is proud to announce the dates for our next mouth-watering, flavorsome, kernelicious POPCORN FUNDRAISER! That’s right, we’ve brought back the Double Good greatness, and our NFB CSD Willing Workers are diligently working-hard to setup a PopTastic popcorn store near you! </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mark your calendars to start shopping on Friday, March 3rd at 12PM, and don’t stop until every bag has been sold by Tuesday, March 7<sup>th</sup> at 12PM EST!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>We know the time is short, but these explosive flavors are popping out with greatness! As a matter of fact, we believe your pantry is feeling empty right now! It needs to know all about Butter Believe It, White Cheddar Go Getter, Little Kettle That Could, and more!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Proceeds gained from this fundraiser will support the efforts of the federation in addition to help promote the Community Service Division projects. With that being said, get your mouse clicks and finger taps ready because we’re going to POP RIGHT To The TOP, CSD Style!</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please contact Gloria Nathan-Cherry “The Popcorn Lady” for more information at, (215)-971-6650.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>If you listen very, very closely, you can almost hear the sizzles and crackles of the hot oil. Double Good Gourmet has turned up the heat and is ready for the CSD fundraiser to start cooking in service!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="x-msg://13/WORDS%20FROM%20THE%20ORIGINAL"><span style='color:#0563C1'>WORDS FROM THE ORIGINAL</span></a></span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Written by Marvin K Griffin, Senior</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>They say a nickname is something someone else gives to you…. Well, they call me the popcorn king AKA Captain kernel. my real name is Marvin K Griffin, Senior and I guess I better share with you the reason why I was given my nicknames. I have been a full-fledged participant in the double good popcorn fundraiser for the Community Service Division of N F B for the last two years. I don’t mean to sound like a braggard, but I have managed to be the top seller in both campaigns as well, having contributed over $5500 in combined popcorn sales! now, my purpose today is not to sit here and boast about what I’ve done, because I do believe that what was done was accomplished as a collective by our entire group of popcorn store fundraisers and I am very proud of the work that we all did together, I anticipate absolute greatness going forward with the group that we have had in addition to the new recruits that we’ve had a chance to bring on board to our division. my purpose, today is to share my experience, and to give a little bit of insight into why I have had the positive results from the fundraiser. although I don’t plan to give away all of my secrets lol, I will give three steps that I think will be valuable tools for everyone going forward as we continue to endeavor in raising funds for our division. Step one no you’re focus group. I’d like to use a comparison to a garden for the steps, and we can treat the focus group just like we would treat the fertile soil for a garden. One of the most important things you can do with a fertile soil is to make sure that it has the right composition. Otherwise, you will see no harvest! and when it comes to people, one of the things that I choose to look at, is whether or not, these folks are warm to the conversation when I present what I’m doing. it’s very important to not spend too much time with folks who give you the I don’t know; are they will get back with me later type responses. These types of folks are the ones who, will more than likely will not give to the fundraiser, so it’s most important not to waste all of that precious time in that 4-day period Leaning on folks who aren’t really going to give you the results you’re looking for. another thing included in this first step is to make sure that you revisit the same supporters from previous events because that is where you create your base. to build upon from year to year. step 2 plant the seed.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I can remember when I first started gardening, and I planted my first seeds, and after a few days, I expected to see sprouts, but nothing happened. I had to reach out to one of my gardening buddies, and I discovered that my problem was that my seed was buried too deep within the soil, and it would never sprout at that level. Hmmm…. That’s interesting right? The seed needed to be placed in the proper position. In this instance, the seed for us as popcorn store fundraisers is actually our sales pitch.! Sometimes the pitches may take 5 minutes and others may take a few seconds believe it or not. All it takes is a little practice while including your top selling points. Remember, the more people you talk to actually gives you a great chance to tailor your pitch to each individual supporter. And before you know it those sales will grow just like my kingdom lol!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Finally step 3 water the garden!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We live in a time where information flows into our minds, phones, and on our computers and it is super easy for a 4-day fundraiser to slip off the radar of our supporters. The remedy for this problem is pleasant persistence. You got to water your garden my loyal subjects! Go back and remind those supporters who gave you a firm yes because sometimes they simply forget. Oftentimes I send a personalized reminder text. I try to keep these humorous too, after all we aren’t trying to twist arms, right? A bit of wit goes a long way!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Lastly my friends, the Original popcorn king, captain kernel and whatever other monikers I receive will mean nothing without good people to share them, with. so, I hope what I have written in this article will help all who join us to become kings and queens on the CSD popcorn team!! Ladies and gents, the OPK bids you farewell, work your gardens friends and, we’ll see you all in March!!!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b> </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><a href="x-msg://13/REPRESENT%20YOUR%20STATE"><span style='color:#0563C1'>REPRESENT YOUR STATE</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Reaching Hearts, Changing Lives; Reflections From The Buckeye State</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Written by Delcenia Brown, NFB Ohio</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>Recently, the NFB of Ohio Community Service Division partnered with City Mission for their 2022 annual affiliate service project. Delcenia Brown and Joann Williams, along with several other dedicated members focused on collecting the City Mission’s most needed and requested items.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>“<span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The city mission empowers men, women, and children in crisis to overcome their unique, complex path to homelessness. Since 1910 the city mission of Cleveland has provided the basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing to those in crisis.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Although I have never stayed at the City Mission, I do Remember a time of homelessness and a time in my own life where it was a struggle to make ends meet, have money for transportation and to keep warm. So, It was an easy decision to ask the Community Service Division to partner with the City Mission of Cleveland.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>After the members of Ohio’s Community Service reviewed the list of items that were needed, we voted to contribute to the most needed items. Which were twins’ sheets, twins’ blankets and all-day bus passes to assist individuals to get to interviews and/or work. Well Ohio members, family & friends really stepped up to the call. We were able to collect $400 for all-day bus passes and several large boxes filled with twin </span>sheets sets <span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>and blankets. I was excited and happy to see the turn out. Knowing that winter is approaching The Community Service Division of Ohio, and that we were able to </span>assist <span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>in reaching hearts & changing lives of those in crisis in Cleveland, brought joy to my heart. It warmed my heart to know we assisted in the basic needs and gave hope to an individual.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><i>“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” </i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><i><a href="x-msg://13/THE%20BEST%20GIFT"><span style='color:#0563C1'>THE BEST GIFT</span></a></i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Need to brush up on your holly jolly LOL-inducing humor around the holidays? We’ve got the best gift in town, the gift of joy!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i>Question</i>: What do grapes sing at Christmas?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i>Answer</i>: 'Tis the season to be jelly! <span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>🎵🎶🎼</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><i>“Don’t think about it, laugh about it!”</i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><a href="x-msg://13/BRAILLE%20IS%20SUCH%20A%20BLESSING"><span style='color:#0563C1'>BRAILLE IS SUCH A BLESSING</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>International World Braille Day, January 4<sup>th</sup></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Written by Colleen Roth, NFB Ohio<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Today, audiobooks and the products that play them, like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s iPhone, are more popular than ever. This has raised an important question: In the age of audio-recorded literature and accessible technology, is braille still necessary? Colleen Roth would jump up and down and shout, YES, yes, yes!!!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“Braille is such a blessing; it is absolutely necessary!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Just as sighted readers have their preferences between paperback, digital and, yes, audiobooks, so too do sight impaired readers, and many of them simply prefer braille.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“In late August I was given a Romeo 25 Embosser by the Catholic Diocese in Toledo, Ohio. It produces Braille on 1 side of the page. This was the beginning of my embossing journey as a service to Catholic Dioceses in Ohio, and chapters and divisions within the Ohio affiliate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Since I have started this service project, I have been blessed to emboss materials such as liturgies, prayer group materials, chapter and division constitutions, membership list, state convention auction, materials for ordination of priests and deacons, and the list goes on.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>I truly love Braille and will continue to provide this embossing service for those in need. Further information along with my contact information is provided below within the resource section of the newsletter.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Thank you for your service, Colleen! And anyone that has had an opportunity to spend time with you, undoubtably knows your love and passion for Braille literacy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>We hope everyone will join CSD on January 4, 2023 to honor Louis Braille’s 214<sup>th</sup> birthday, and celebrate the awareness of the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and visually impaired people. After all, it was Helen Keller who said, “the blind is as indebted to Louis Braille, the eponymous inventor of the tactile reading system, as mankind is to Gutenberg and his printing press.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><i>"Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'><a href="x-msg://13/ANSWER%20THE%20CALL"><span style='color:#0563C1'>ANSWER THE CALL</span></a></span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>National MLK Day of Service, January 20<sup>th</sup></span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service (MLK Day) is the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” Participation in service activities has grown each year as more Americans are encouraged to provide meaningful change in their communities. Whether service meets a tangible need, such as fixing up a school or senior center, builds a sense of community or mutual responsibility. In a pandemic environment, service can take on the form of sending a meal through a meal delivery service, serving as a virtual mentor, or donating money to a charitable cause to help those who lack basic essential items.</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>No matter the choice, service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community. It breaks down barriers by bringing people from different backgrounds together and it benefits those who choose to serve. Coretta Scott King said, “The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.”</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>As stewards of America's lands and natural resources, the work we do at DOI epitomizes Dr. King’s belief in the power of service, as expressed in his legendary quote, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” In keeping with Dr. King’s example, let us embrace the belief that our destiny is shared and accept our obligations to each other, future generations and the American people by strengthening the bonds that hold together the most diverse Nation on earth. Each one of us can help answer his call by pledging to love and serve.</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>Which brings us to one incredible and humble man within our federation that was recently recognized for answering the King’s pledge, as the 28th annual winner of their Martin Luther King Freedom Award!</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>The Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., AFSCME Local 725, and the State of Indiana awarded NFB Newsline Indiana Director, Lee Martin, Senior the Freedom Award.</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>The Freedom Award is granted to individuals or projects whose major societal</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>influence includes breaking down barriers that have divided us in the past</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>and/or building ongoing relationships that foster respect, understanding,</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><span style='color:#0563C1'>and harmony in our community. And there is no one more deserving of this award than our very own, Lee Martin!</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><span class=gmail-msohyperlink><b><i><span style='color:#0563C1'>“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></i></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><a href="x-msg://13/RESOURCES"><span style='color:#0563C1'>RESOURCES</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Braille Technology Throughout the Ages: A Special Event for World Braille Day</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>by The Braillists Foundation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>In addition to our collaboration with Sight and Sound Technology, we are pleased to present an evening panel discussion for World Braille Day focusing on braille technology: its past, present and future. We will be joined by historians, people working in the braille technology industry today and developers of the next generation of braille hardware and software.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>The event will take place on Wednesday 4 January at 7:00 PM, and you will need to register in advance. This is a separate registration link to both our regular Masterclasses and the event with Sight and Sound. Please email:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><a href="mailto:help@braillists.org">help@braillists.org</a>, if you have difficulties completing the form.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Register for the World Braille Day evening event here:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModO-oqDwiGNDeirVP5hgN9eeND2PY5_Eh">https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModO-oqDwiGNDeirVP5hgN9eeND2PY5_Eh</a><o:p></o:p></p><div style='margin-bottom:8.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>To join by phone, please use these details:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Phone number: 0131 460 1196<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Meeting ID: 875 3606 7824<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Passcode: 123456<o:p></o:p></p><div style='margin-bottom:8.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Embossing Projects</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Colleen Roth, NFB Ohio is willing to provide embossed materials for those in need. Projects that are 300 pages or less are free. Projects that are more than 300 pages will include a paper cost. All projects will be shipped Free Matter For The Blind, unless the person wants to pay for faster shipping. All materials will be embossed in English Braille American Edition. To discuss Braille projects, please contact Colleen at (419) 661-9171.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>EDITOR’S NOTES</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>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.)<o:p></o:p></p><div style='margin-bottom:8.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>NFB Community Service Division</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><a href="http://www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>President Jeanetta Price<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Email: <a href="mailto:price.jeanetta@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>price.jeanetta@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Mobile: (409) 344-1005<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Newsletter Editor: Maggie Stringer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Email: <a href="mailto:Ravensfan784@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Ravensfan784@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Mobile: (443) 750-0070<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>ONE MINUTE MESSAGE</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>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!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i> </i><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>Community-Service mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Community-Service@nfbnet.org">Community-Service@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-Service:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/price.jeanetta%40gmail.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/price.jeanetta%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>Community-Service mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Community-Service@nfbnet.org">Community-Service@nfbnet.org</a><br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org<br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-Service:<br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/rashetabunting%40gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>