[nagdu] Blind to Participate in National Day of Service

Sat Jan 10 00:07:33 UTC 2009

Hey, Marion, this is great!  We do need to perform some service to our 
communities.  We live NFB philosophy and we also show our general 
communities that the blind can fully participate in our communities.

I've volunteered somewhere for the last 20 years in the San diego area. 
I've been a craft aide for a teacher in nursing homes, help out at my church 
with serving on the Church Council, serving coffee and donuts on Sundays 
after church, play in our hand bell choir.

I also do Pet-Assisted Therapy with Landon at our Humane Society.  they told 
me that I'm the first disabled person with a working service dog to do this. 
They've had able-bodied people who are raising service and guide dog 
puppies.  Landon and I go with another volunteer and we also bring two rats, 
two guinea pigs, and one rabbit on visits to nursing homes, mental health 
day care places.  Landon is a big hit!  He wears a vest from the Humane 
Society and I take his harness off for the visits.  The people there learn 
that I'm visually impaired and that Landon is my working Seeing Eye dog.

Landon and I are also part of the Paws That Heal program at the Naval 
Medical Center of San Diego.  Marion, Anne our program manager has written 
to you about this program.

I think as many Federationists should do some community service.  It is a 
great way for people to get to know a blind person and we can use this 
avenue to break down the barriers and attitudes of people.

Hope everyone has had happy holidays and a Happy New Year to all!

Linda and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "NFBF List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>; "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; 
<blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; "Music List" <musictlk at nfbnet.org>; 
<humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 12:50 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Blind to Participate in National Day of Service

Fellow Federationists,
    Below and attached to this message is information about the National 
Federation of the Blind's participation in the National Day of Service. This 
is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate an important aspect of our 
philosophy: That the blind are able to participate on terms of full equality 
in every aspect of society, including organizing and participating in 
volunteer opportunities. Please take the time to read this information and 
consider either organizing an activity of your own or helping out with 
another's.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

The following information is attached to this message as a Word document.

National Day of Service

Please distribute the following message as widely as appropriate!

          President-elect Barak Obama has proclaimed Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Day, January 19, 2009 as the National Day of Service. The goal is for MLK 
Day to reignite the American tradition of service and volunteerism across 
the nation. The National Federation of the Blind has asked me to organize an 
event for the National Day of Service to demonstrate to our community that 
the blind are capable of leading normal, productive lives, contributing to 
every aspect of society, including coordinating and participating in 
volunteer service programs. We are inviting blind and sighted members of the 
community to participate in our service event.

          The National Federation of the Blind will sponsor a clothing and 
personal hygiene products collection to benefit the Homeless Outreach 
program of New Life Unity Church. There are a number of volunteer 
opportunities available to the community. One need is the donation of items 
of warm clothing, blankets, and personal hygiene products, e.g., shampoo, 
conditioner, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene supplies, 
hand sanitizer, and soap. We also need volunteers to collect items from 
those who are unable to come to the collection location, as well as 
volunteers to receive, organize and package the items for distribution.

          Items can be dropped off and volunteers can assemble on January 19 
from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at

New Life Unity Church

13540 N. Florida Avenue

Suite 104

Tampa, FL 33613

(Just north of the intersection of N. Florida and Fletcher Avenues)

For more information or to volunteer, please contact

Marion Gwizdala

National Federation of the Blind

813-626-2789

president at blind411.org

For more information about the National Day of Service, you may go to

http://www.usaservice.org
If you come..

WHAT: National Day of Service

EVENT: Clothing & Personal Hygiene Products Collection

WHEN: January 19, 2009 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day & National Day of 
Service

WHERE: New Life Unity Church

              13540 N. Florida Avenue

              Suite 104

              Tampa, FL 33613

              (Just north of the intersection of N. Florida & Fletcher 
Avenues)

TIME: 9:00 am until 2:00 pm

For more information, contact

Marion Gwizdala

National Federation of the Blind

813-626-2789

president at blind411.org

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