[KeyStoneChapter] NFB of PA's February Monthly Digest

Tue Feb 7 23:21:50 UTC 2023

Hi, Stacie.  I was speaking with someone, recently, who is considering
getting a guide dog.  Can you give me more info about the next PAGDU
meeting, so I can pass the info on to her?

Thanks much.

Jan Lattuca

On 2/4/23, Stacie Leap via KeyStoneChapter <keystonechapter at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello everybody!
>
> Welcome to our February 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the
> National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania!
>
> During the first few days of the month, we will start sending out our
> calendar of events. These events will be within the National Federation of
> the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the
> National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind community.
>
> If you or anyone you know have any upcoming events or information that can
> pertain to the blind community in Pennsylvania, please send them to Stacie
> Leap at stacie.leap at gmail.com by the 29th of the month so it can be added
> to our calendar for the following month.
>
>
>
> For those using screen readers, you can use your heading navigations to
> skip around the email.
>
>
> A Message from our Affiliate President
>
> 02/01/2023
>
> Good day All and Happy Ground Hog Day!
>
> We have just finished a successful Washington Seminar.  13 Members of the
> NFB of PA traveled to Washington DC to meet with our Congressional
> Representatives and talk about three key issues.  You can review the issues
> at www.nfb.org/washington-seminar   We also had the opportunity to meet
> Senator Robert Casey at a reception in the Kennedy Caucus Room on Tuesday.
>
> Please check out the calendar events for upcoming meetings and seminars
> available!
>
> - Lynn Heitz, NFB of PA State Affiliate President
> Membership Dues for 2023
>
> We are still collecting dues for 2023! Please contact your chapter and
> divisions for membership dues as each chapter and division has different
> amounts.
>
>
> Google Calendar Links
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania also has a Google
> Calendar that can be viewed either through the web or subscribed to your
> calendar apps.
>
> You can view the calendar without subscribing to it and view it on your web
> browser by clicking the following link:
>
> https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=7jgal0nrodbmg61a8aar0o3i2g%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FNew_York
>
> However, if you wish to subscribe to the calendar and get the events on
> your calendar apps, please click the following link and go through the
> steps to subscribe:
> https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/7jgal0nrodbmg61a8aar0o3i2g%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
>
>
> Member Spotlight” Connie Scheu
>
> Each month, we will highlight someone within our affiliate. The goal is to
> allow other members to learn about other members within the affiliate. We
> hope you enjoy this little spotlight!
>
>
>
> Connie Scheu holds many roles within the affiliate. She is one of the Board
> Directors for our State Affiliate.  She also helps out with the Erie County
> Chapter meetings and is the co-chair of our newly formed group: Blind
> Seniors. She also helped in restarting the Senior Possibilities Fair at our
> 2022 State Convention along with other volunteers. With all that she also
> loves to sing Karaoke. If you attended our 2022 State Convention, you would
> have heard her beautiful voice singing karaoke at the Talent Showcase! If
> you ever get a chance to meet her in-person, make sure you say “Hello!”
>
>
> Calendar of Events
>
> The following events are also on our Google calendar with the Zoom
> information. If anyone within a chapter, division, or group see any errors
> or misinformation, please contact Stacie Leap at stacie.leap at gmail.com or
> text her at 215-776-6741.
>
>
>
>  The below information is correct as of the first week of the month. The
> information is most up-to-date on the Google Calendar so please check back
> periodically to ensure the right information.
>
>
>   Erie County Chapter Meeting
>
>   a monthly meeting for those who live in Erie County Pennsylvania.
>
>   Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 6pm ET
>
>
> Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants (PABM) Monthly Meeting
>
>  a monthly meeting for those who are or wish to be involved with the
> Business Enterprise Program, entrepreneurship and their supporters.
>
>   Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 6PM ET
>
>
>   Greater Bucks Chapter Monthly Meeting
>
> A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Bucks County of
> Pennsylvania
>
> Friday, February 10, 2023 at 10AM ET
>
>
>   Keystone Chapter Monthly Meeting
>
>   a monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Philadelphia area.
> This is one of two local chapters in the Greater Philadelphia area. The
> other chapter is the Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
>
> Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 10:15AM ET
>
>
> Deaf Blind Division Monthly Meeting
>
>  a monthly meeting for those who consider themselves to be Deaf Blind and
> their supporters.
>
>  Monday, February 13, 2023 at 6PM ET
>
>
> Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children (PAOPBC) Monthly
> Meeting
>
>  a monthly meeting for parents of blind children and their supporters
>
>  Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 11AM ET
>
>
> Pittsburgh Chapter Monthly Meeting
>
> A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
>
> Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 6PM ET
>
>
>   Capital Area Chapter Monthly Meeting
>
>   a monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Harrisburg area.
>
>   Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 10AM ET
>
>
>   Blind Parents Group Monthly Meeting
>
>   a monthly meeting for blind parents, grandparents, and their supporters
>
>   Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 7PM ET
>
>
>   Blind Seniors Group
>
>   a monthly meeting for those who are seniors or almost seniors as well as
> their supporters.
>
>   Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7:30PM ET
>
>
>   Brandywine Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting
>
>   a monthly meeting for those who live in the Brandywine Valley.
>
>   Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 10AM ET
>
>
> Greater Philadelphia Chapter Monthly Meeting
>
> a monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Philadelphia area. This
> is one of two local chapters in the Greater Philadelphia area.  The other
> chapter is the Keystone Chapter.
>
> Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 10AM ET
>
>
>   Pennsylvania Association of Guide Dog Users (PAGDU)
>
>   a monthly meeting for those who have or are considering getting a guide
> dog as well as their supporters.
>
>   Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 4pm ET
>
>
>   Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students (PABS) Monthly Meeting
>
>   a monthly meeting for blind students of all ages and their supporters.
>
>   Monday, February 27, 2023 at 7PM ET
>
>
>  White Canes Connect Podcast
>
>  Did you know that the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania has
> a podcast? It is hosted by members David Goldstein and Lisa Bryant. It
> features interviews with our PA members as well as interviews and resources
> for the blind community. You can listen to it wherever you listen to
> podcasts.
>
> Listen on  Apple Podcasts
> <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709>,
> Spotify <https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI>, Amazon
> Music
> <https://www.amazon.com/White-Canes-Connect/dp/B08K5B6683/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=white+canes+connect&qid=1636149501&qsid=139-0343126-3565115&s=audible&sr=1-1&sres=B08K5B6683,B07P88N4RS,B008U2QT28,B00MFS7BT8&srpt=WALKING_STICK>
> , IHeartRadio
> <https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-white-canes-connect-89603482/>,
> and on Twitter
> @PABlindPodcast <https://www.twitter.com/pablindpodcast>. Contact White
> Canes Connect at whitecanesconnect at gmail.com if you have any show ideas or
> wish to be on the podcast.
>
>
> Birthday Wishes and Special Occasions Greater Philadelphia Chapter honors
> members at Holiday Luncheon
>
> The Greater Philadelphia Chapter honored 4 amazing individuals who have
> been members for over 40 years. Members, family, and friends came together
> to Park Towers Apartment in January 2023 to honor Mary Byron, Ruth
> Chambers, Joseph Hardin, and Marilyn Klein.  All were given crystal awards
> from the chapter to show their appreciation for all the hard work they have
> put into the chapter and into the NFB!  Please see pictures and videos on
> their Facebook page.
>
>
> Birthday Wishes!
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania would like to wish all
> those who were born in December and January a very happy birthday! We
> forgot to wish well birthday wishes to December babies last month! #Sorry
>
>
> Leadership Seminar 2023
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania will be holding their
> annual leadership seminar from March 10-12, 2023 in State College, PA.
> Chapter and division presidents are asked to invite up to 5 people from
> their chapter/division to join in. We look forward to meeting those invited
> in State College in March!
> Fundraisers NFB of PA April Raffle
>
> The NFB of PA is selling $5 tickets for their April 2023 Raffle.
> Participants will choose a 3-digit number to play during the entire month
> of April 2023. Each day, a winner is chosen to receive a monetary prize. If
> your number is selected from Sunday to Friday, you will receive $50. If
> your number is selected on a Saturday, you will receive $100. Once a winner
> is selected for the day, their number is thrown back into the pot so a
> person has 30 chances to win during the entire month of April! Please send
> all payments to NFB of PA State Treasurer Brian Mackey by March 27, 2023.
> Each chapter treasurer has some raffle tickets in their possession to sell
> so please contact your chapter treasurer for more details. If you are not
> apart of a chapter, such as a family member, friend, co-worker,
> acquaintance, or supporter of any kind and wish to purchase tickets, please
> contact Jim Antonacci at jjantonacci at verizon.net
>
>
> PAOPBC Chocolate Fundraiser
>
> The Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children is
> participating once again with Sarris Chocolate to do some fundraising! 25%
> of all sales goes back into the division. This is to allow for scholarships
> and financial assistance that we can give back to the parents who have
> blind or visually impaired children.
>
> Please consider buying some chocolate for loved ones during Valentine's
> Day!
>
> Give someone the gift of chocolate for St. Patrick's Day!
>
> Buy some to show appreciation to family and friends during Easter, all
> occasions and holidays in between!
>
> This is the Spring collection and will run from now until April 2, 2023
>
> This is to ensure that your chocolate gets to you by Easter if you wish to
> eat it then but you can always buy some now and more later. :)
>
> This is the perfect gift for yourself or someone in your life!
>
> Our Group code is 10-0316.
>
> You can also access the following link to get to the website and support
> our division:
>
> https://www.sarriscandiesfundraising.com/Group.aspx?id=10-0316
>
>
> Blind Parents Group T-Shirts Fundraiser
>
> The Blind Parents Group still have some t-shirts left over from our
> fundraising efforts at the state convention. The t-shirts comes in either
> black with white letterings or white with black letterings. Both shirts say
> “I Support #BlindParents” with the NFB of PA Logo and “Blind Parents Group”
> at the bottom. Funds raised will start a scholarship funds to assist blind
> or visually impaired parents and their family through financial life
> hardships. To purchase a t-shirt, please contact Stacie Leap at
> stacie.leap at gmail.com
>
>
> Past: Happy Valley Powerhouse Sub Fundraiser
>
> The Happy Valley recently had their Powerhouse Subs fundraiser that ended
> earlier this month. They want to thank everybody who helped make this
> fundraiser a success!
> Other External Events
>
> These events are not hosted or sponsored by the NFB or the NFB of PA.
> However, we think these might be good resources for those living in
> Pennsylvania. If you have any events that you wish to be in our monthly
> digest, please email Stacie Leap at stacie.leap at gmail.com
>
>
> Liberty Resources’ Blind/Low Vision Support Group
>
> Our members Karen Rose and Simone Cooper partner up with Liberty Resources
> to hold weekly virtual support group at Liberty Resources. The aim is to
> share resources and provide support to those experiencing blindness or low
> vision. Meetings are weekly on Tuesdays from 1pm to 2pm ET. For more
> information or to sign-up, please email Latoya Maddox at
> LatoyaMaddox at libertyresources.org
>
>
> Vision Thru Art
>
> Vision Thru Art is a weekly sculpture class for blind and visually-impaired
> artists that has been running at Allens Lane Art Center for more than 30
> years. Our dedicated faculty, staff and volunteers help the students
> express their inner vision through a variety of media including clay, wood,
> mosaic, stone and other mixed materials. The students are encouraged to
> work at their own pace while enjoying the easy-going social atmosphere of
> the class. In 2014, Allens Lane Art Center made the class completely free
> for all the students including free art supplies each year.
>
> *Location:* The Fluhr Studio - (downstairs back studio accessible by rear
> entrance). Many of the students use Para-transit to get to the class.
> Service dogs are of course welcome.
>
> *Day/Time:*  Wednesday, 10:30 am – 12:30pm and Friday 10:30 am – 12:30pm.
>
> *Fees:* There are no fees for this class.
>
> *Registration:* Contact by phone (215-248-0546) or by
> https://allenslane.org/vision-thru-art/
>
>
> Eye See You I love U
>
> Eye See You I love U is hosting numerous fundraisers coming up.  You can
> view their events and get more information on their website at
> https://eyeseeyouiloveu.org/
>
> On February 20th they  will be hosting their  family fun night at Chuck E
> Cheese that is open to parents and children of all abilities.
>
> They  will also be holding their  first Walk A thon in June. On June 10th
> from 9 AM to 4 PM, individuals can come to Hempfield Park and participate
> in our Eye Will Walk With You Walk A Thon to raise awareness for Optic
> Nerve Hypoplasia and children with no vision and low vision.
>
> The registration link is below. You can use code EYESEEYOU until April 20th
> for 15% off of registration.
>
> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eye-will-walk-with-you-2023-tickets
> 499094815027?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
>
>
> Women Healed For A Purpose 2023 Conference!
>
> Our member Lyvette Byrd is hosting her 2nd Annual Women Healed For a
> Purpose Conference under her business, For The Byrds Consulting, LLC. The
> mission of the conference  is to equip and restore the community through a
> faith-based initiative that we hope will strengthen women holistically;
> mind, body, and spirit.
>
> We are women Living Interdependently in support of Family, Friends, and our
> Fellow neighbors to Educate and Empower our community. The event will be on
> Saturday, October 28, 2023. More details about the event will come at a
> later date!
>
>
> NFB Pledge
>
> I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation
> of the Blind; to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
> to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
> constitution.
>
>
> NFB Message
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> Many thanks to everybody for all they do within the Federation!
>
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania team
>
> www.nfbp.org
>