[Iabs-talk] FW: Hurricane Harvey Relief

[denise Avant]

Hello all,

Because of Hurricane Harvey, the people in the Houston Texas area will need help for months to come. Many of you have asked how we can help blind people and their families. I reached out to the NFB Texas President to get a list of ways we can help individually and as an affiliate. Please see below. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Denise R. Avant, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

Live the life you want.

For more information about NFBI, 

Go to www.nfbofillinois.org.

 

From: Norma Crosby [mailto:ncrosby at nfbtx.org] 
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2017 2:59 PM
To: State President, Illinois <davant1958 at gmail.com>
Subject: Hurricane Harvey Relief

 

Dear Denise,

 

I apologize for being slow to get this information to you. I believe you wanted to know about the ways your affiliate or members could help with Harvey Relief.

 

First, monetary donations are always welcome. There is a donate button on nfbtx.org <http://nfbtx.org> , and donations can be made that way. We can also accept credit cards over the phone if the person prefers to do it that way. They may call our office from 9 AM to 5 PM central time, weekdays, to use a credit card.

 

Second, we have been getting, and love to have, gift cards from major retailers. Walmart cards seem to be the favorite because families can by food, clothing, and all kinds of other stuff there. We also have Target stores, and those cards are also welcome. People are very emotional at this time, and I think a little dose of normalcy helps. So, I have also been suggesting small gift cards for Bath and Body Works or s similar retailer. I know that this is something I have been planning to seek out for myself. I don't mean as a donation. I just mean this is something I am missing (small, first-world luxuries).

 

Third, we are offering affiliates and chapters the opportunity to adopt a family. There is not necessarily a larger financial obligation. Though you might decide to do a little more once you get to know your family. The idea is that this is a little more personal. We begin the process by providing the family with $200.00. Then, the affiliate that adopts the family follows up with some additional help. We provide the affiliate or chapter with information about the family or individual and invite direct contact so you can agree on what kind of help your affiliate or chapter can provide. Then, we ask that you circle back to us to let us know what you were able to provide. In other words, we want to be in the loop in case more help is needed even after you help. We are not trying to make people whole, but I can tell you that the people we are suggesting for adoption live in poor parts of the affected area, and they most often have blind children, with other severe disabilities.

 

We place no requirement on donation amounts. Affiliates or chapters should do what they can do. Everyone we have talked to is very grateful for any help they get. So, no pressure. 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Norma Crosby, President

National Federation of the Blind of Texas

1600 E Highway 6, Suite 215

Alvin, TX  77511

(281) 968-7733 (Main Office)

(281) 809-4860 (Fax)

ncrosby at nfbtx.org <mailto:ncrosby at nfbtx.org>