[Nfbc-info] FW: [nfbsc] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Raises Nearly $10, 000 through Groupon Grassroots

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "Keith Wiglesworth" <hwiglesworth at carolina.rr.com>
To: <nfbsc at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [nfbsc] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Raises Nearly
$10,000 through Groupon Grassroots
Date: 
Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:33:03 -0400


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Freeh, Jessica 
To: Undisclosed recipients
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 11:27 AM
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Raises Nearly $10,000 through
Groupon Grassroots


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

Cdanielsen at nfb.org

 

National Federation of the Blind Raises Nearly $10,000 
through Groupon Grassroots

 

Funds Raised Will Support Braille Literacy Initiative for Children with
Low Vision

 

Baltimore, Maryland (July 13, 2012): The National Federation of the
Blind, the nation's leading advocate for Braille literacy, and Groupon
Grassroots, the philanthropic arm of Groupon, have teamed up for the second
time to bring Braille into the lives of more blind children who need it.  

 

The latest National Federation of the Blind campaign began on July 11,
and runs through July 18.  In only two days, this campaign has raised
nearly $10,000 for the National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment
for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program.  Groupon subscribers can pledge
support for the NFB BELL program in increments of $15, with each $15
purchased providing Braille instruction materials for the hundreds of
children with low vision who participate in the program.

 

The BELL program is a two-week intensive program designed to introduce
students with low vision to Braille and other alternative techniques of
blindness in a positive way.  Students attend the program for
six-and-a-half hours each day.  Daily instruction covers: blindness
attitudes; tactile discrimination; Braille reading; Braille writing,
including the use of the slate and stylus; and nonvisual techniques for
daily living.  Lessons in each area are made enjoyable by using games and
other non-traditional methods that demonstrate to the students how exciting
Braille can be.  In 2012 alone, the BELL program is bringing Braille to
low-vision children at fourteen sites in ten states, and the program will
continue to expand in 2013.

 

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"We are pleased to partner with Groupon Grassroots again to bring Braille
literacy into the lives of more young children who desperately need it.  In
schools across the country today, children with low vision-who meet the
legal definition of blindness-are being denied Braille instruction.  The
BELL program seeks to ensure that low-vision children gain the crucial
literacy skills that every child needs and deserves.  We have already
raised nearly $10,000 and hope to raise $15,000 by the conclusion of this
campaign on July 18.  Please help us to create a bright future for all
blind children, including those with low vision, by purchasing a Groupon
that will go toward giving the children in this program the tools needed to
become literate and successful." 

 

You must be a Groupon subscriber to purchase a Groupon.  If you are not
currently a Groupon subscriber and would like to become one in order to
purchase a National Federation of the Blind Groupon, you may visit
Groupon's subscription Web page.

 

 

 

###

 

About the National Federation of the Blind 

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is
the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in
the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

 


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