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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please read the latest update regarding Joe Ruffalo, the former long time president of the New Jersey affiliate. His condition is sounding more hopeful. Please keep your prayers for him coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>maryanne.melley@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want; Blindness is Not What Holds You Back”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <state-affiliate-leadership-list-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Linda Melendez via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, February 4, 2021 6:49 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of New Jersey Internet Mailing List <nfbnj@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Linda Melendez <president@nfbnj.org>; State Affiliate Leadership List <state-affiliate-leadership-list@nfbnet.org>; NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list <chapter-presidents@nfbnet.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] A Message from Joseph Ruffalo<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'>Greetings all,</span><span style='color:#313131'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'><br style='word-spacing:1px'><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'>Joe has asked me to send a message <span class=gmaildefault>on his behalf</span> thanking <span class=gmaildefault>everyone</span> for their prayers, thoughts and well wishes during this difficult time for him and his family.<span class=gmaildefault> </span>He also wanted me to thank the members for supporting me as the newly elected President. </span><span style='color:#313131'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'><br style='word-spacing:1px'><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'>Joe is now on the next step of his journey. He is in a rehab facility for PT, OT and support.<span class=gmaildefault> </span>Yesterday he went to <span class=gmaildefault>Saint Barnabas Hospital </span>for a <span class=gmaildefault>Pet</span> <span class=gmaildefault>S</span>can and we are awaiting the results.<span class=gmaildefault> He is still requesting not to receive calls at this time and asks for your cooperation and understanding.</span></span><span style='color:#313131'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'><br style='word-spacing:1px'><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'>Janie and I have recently spoken with him and his voice is full and clear. He has a spirit of hope and wants to let the membership know that their prayers, good thoughts, and well wishes are working.<span class=gmaildefault> </span>He is forever grateful for his wonderful <span class=gmaildefault>NFB and </span>NFBNJ family.</span><span style='color:#313131'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'><br style='word-spacing:1px'><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#313131'>On a personal note from Janie, she wants to thank all of you for loving her brother and will keep us abreast of the next updates as they arise.<span class=gmaildefault> </span>Hugs to all and a big woo hoo!</span><span style='color:#313131'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;word-spacing:1px'><span style='color:#313131'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;word-spacing:1px'><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222'>Warmly, </span><span style='color:#313131'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br>Email: <a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><br><i>Website: </i><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" target="_blank"><i><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a><i><br><br></i></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in'><span style='color:#313131'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>