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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-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbma.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>sharawinton@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",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><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBV-Announce <nfbv-announce-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Teisha Gillespie via NFBV-Announce<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 19, 2025 6:08 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFBV Announce <nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBV-Announce] Fwd: Regain Your Confidence—Join a Free Silver BELLS Retreat Mar. 27-30 in Sterling!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Apologies all,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>The Mar. 20-23 event that is a rescheduled retreat for the original Feb. event is still taking place in Virginia Beach. Please disregard the note about Richmond for this specific event.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>The May 1-4 event is still in Richmond!<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Teisha Gillespie</span></strong> <<a href="mailto:teisha.collins@gmail.com">teisha.collins@gmail.com</a>><br>Date: Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 5:10<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span>PM<br>Subject: Fwd: Regain Your Confidence—Join a Free Silver BELLS Retreat Mar. 27-30 in Sterling!<br>To: NFBV Announce <<a href="mailto:nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org">nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org</a>><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Important updates to dates and locations!<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>1. If you thought you had missed out on the February retreat that was scheduled in Virginia Beach for this weekend, well, there's good news! Because of the pending snow, the February retreat is now rescheduled for Mar. 20-23 and it's going to be in Richmond instead of Virginia Beach, so there's still time to register! And, if that wasn't enough excitement, there is still a second retreat happening in March from the 27th-30th in Sterling Virginia!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>2. The April retreat in Richmond has now been moved to May 1st-4th.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>See below for all the original details, including a link to register.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Teisha Gillespie</span></strong> <<a href="mailto:teisha.collins@gmail.com" target="_blank">teisha.collins@gmail.com</a>><br>Date: Sun, Feb 16, 2025 at 8:00<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span>AM<br>Subject: Regain Your Confidence—Join a Free Silver BELLS Retreat Mar. 27-30 in Sterling!<br>To: NFBV Announce <<a href="mailto:nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org</a>><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p>Dear Friend,<o:p></o:p></p><p>Losing vision doesn’t mean losing independence. And here’s the best part—<strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Silver BELLS is completely free for Virginia residents</span></strong>. If you or a loved one aged 55 or older are experiencing vision loss, this retreat will give you the tools, skills, and confidence to keep living life on your terms.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p><b>What is Silver BELLS?</b><br>Silver BELLS is more than just a retreat—it’s an experience that changes lives. Over a long weekend, you’ll learn hands-on techniques for everyday tasks like cooking, technology use, and safe travel—all in a supportive and empowering environment. Our expert instructors, many of whom are blind themselves, will show you that life without sight is still full of possibilities.<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p><b>But don’t just take our word for it:</b><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><p class=MsoNormal><em><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>"I learned so many non-visual ways to do everyday things. I enjoyed it very much, and I wear my learning shades around the house and when I’m out and about! It’s an experience I would recommend to everyone 55 years and older."</span></em> – Joe Gatzek<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p><b>Watch this video to see how Silver BELLS can help you or a loved one: </b><o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVC6v43GpmI" target="_blank">Watch Here</a><o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p><b>Upcoming Retreats:</b><br><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>📍</span> <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Sterling, VA – March 27–30, 2025</span></strong><br><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>📍</span> <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Richmond, VA – April 24–27, 2025</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p><p>These retreats fill up fast, so don’t wait! <strong><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Reserve your spot today:</span></strong> <a href="https://nfbv.org/silver-bells-registration" target="_blank">Register Here</a><o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>Have questions? We’re happy to help! Contact our Program Coordinator, Sandy Halverson, at (703) 400-6890 or <a href="mailto:silverbells@nfbv.org" target="_blank">silverbells@nfbv.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Don’t let vision loss hold you back—take this step toward greater confidence and independence. We can’t wait to welcome you!<o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p>--<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#202124;background:white'>Teisha Gillespie (She/Her/Hers)</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Communications Chair, NFB of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Host of the Not Your Average GOAT Podcast | The show that celebrates all the shapes, sizes and colors of diversity as well as adversity | <span style='color:#202124;background:white'>Listen and subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6v0eJPeJd1pTMitq7Mj46Q" target="_blank">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-average-goat/id1622832417" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Connect with me on <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/teishacollins" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Want to chat DEI or marketing? <a href="https://calendly.com/teishagillespie/phone-call" target="_blank">Book a phone call.</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmailsignatureprefix>-- </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#202124;background:white'>Teisha Gillespie (She/Her/Hers)</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Communications Chair, NFB of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Host of the Not Your Average GOAT Podcast | The show that celebrates all the shapes, sizes and colors of diversity as well as adversity | <span style='color:#202124;background:white'>Listen and subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6v0eJPeJd1pTMitq7Mj46Q" target="_blank">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-average-goat/id1622832417" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Connect with me on <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/teishacollins" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Want to chat DEI or marketing? <a href="https://calendly.com/teishagillespie/phone-call" target="_blank">Book a phone call.</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmailsignatureprefix>-- </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#202124;background:white'>Teisha Gillespie (She/Her/Hers)</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Communications Chair, NFB of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Host of the Not Your Average GOAT Podcast | The show that celebrates all the shapes, sizes and colors of diversity as well as adversity | <span style='color:#202124;background:white'>Listen and subscribe on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6v0eJPeJd1pTMitq7Mj46Q" target="_blank">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-average-goat/id1622832417" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Connect with me on <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/teishacollins" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Want to chat DEI or marketing? <a href="https://calendly.com/teishagillespie/phone-call" target="_blank">Book a phone call.</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>