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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'>O no! Letters were already sent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><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'> nancyepps@cfl.rr.com <nancyepps@cfl.rr.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 29, 2024 3:11 PM<br><b>To:</b> Brian Norton <brian.edward.norton@outlook.com><br><b>Cc:</b> Conklin Davis Center <rdavid@cvicentralflorida.org>; NFB-GDB listst <nfbf-daytona@nfbnet.org>; Russ Davis <Russell@radiorusty.com>; DOUGLAS INGRAM <dingram59@comcast.net>; Camille Tate <ctate2076@att.net>; Denise Valkema <valkemadenise@aol.com>; peggyfleischer@bellsouth.net; Paul Martinez (Paul09MS@gmail.com) <Paul09MS@gmail.com>; Janice Hanvey <janice.hanvey@hknc.org>; Scott Larson <blindscotty@samobile.net>; Doug Hall <dhall318@cfl.rr.com>; dvolper@helenkeller.org; Mike Norton <mikenorton16@gmail.com>; Brian <briannorton.flalaw@gmail.com>; pen7@med.miami.edu; Les Thackston <lesthackston@gmail.com>; bfeigenbaum@circuit7.org; Matthew N <norton922@gmail.com>; mbpdurant@gmail.com; Robert Doyle <Robert.Doyle@dbs.fldoe.org>; Commissioner@fldoe.org; Sylvia Young <treasurer@nfbflorida.org>; Carol Ann Rogers <carolannrogers@prodigy.net>; Jessica Robillard <jessica@thedartcenter.org>; Jennifer Rogers <cloudcarlock@icloud.com>; Michael Nappi <mnappi@rc5state.com>; JDeen@rc5state.com; Rachel Goetzelman <RGoetzelman@rc5state.com>; metz.matthew@pd7.org; Boyle, Jay <Jay.Boyle@dbs.fldoe.org>; Bill Watson <billw@tomokaeye.com>; Kathy Davis <kdavisnfbf@cfl.rr.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: Please Read: Urgent Action Required for Conklin Davis Center Funding Approval<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please send all letters to Mariah McGowan rather than Danielle Curbow. <a href="mailto:mariah.mcgowan@laspbs.state.fl.us">mariah.mcgowan@laspbs.state.fl.us</a><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>I’m sorry for the confusion. We were misinformed when we thought we were to send to Danielle.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Please send letters, however!<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Nancy Epps<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:black'>Board Secretary, Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired <br>386-795-2310<br>“Our mission is to provide a lifetime of comprehensive services that create unlimited hope, opportunity, and independence for blind and visually impaired people.”<br><a href="http://www.ConklinDavis.org">www.ConklinDavis.org</a><br><br><br><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Apr 29, 2024, at 12:12<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span>PM, Brian Norton <<a href="mailto:brian.edward.norton@outlook.com">brian.edward.norton@outlook.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Hello Floridians,</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>The Florida legislature has approved the needed extra funding for blind students at the Conklin Davis Center and is awaiting the Governor’s approval.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Any contact with his office or staff in support would be appreciated. In addition to the sample below, I have attached also my letter to the Governor’s office as an additional example to encourage others to express their support of this state funding opportunity,</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Gratefully,</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Brian Edward Norton</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Florida Bar #1033481</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>NFBF Greater Daytona Beach President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Conklin Davis Center for the visually Impaired Board</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Assistant Regional Conflict Counsel Florida District5</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:briannorton.flalaw@gmail.com"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>briannorton.flalaw@gmail.com</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>386.871.3359</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:#1179C9'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>“Kindness is an Attitude the Blind can See and the Deaf can Hear”- Mark Twain</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor;border-image: none'><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From:</span></b><span class=apple-converted-space><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> </span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Conklin Davis Center <<a href="mailto:rdavid@cvicentralflorida.org">rdavid@cvicentralflorida.org</a>><br><b>Sent:</b><span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Sunday, April 28, 2024 3:33 PM<br><b>To:</b><span class=apple-converted-space> </span><a href="mailto:brian.edward.norton@outlook.com">brian.edward.norton@outlook.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b><span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Please Read: Urgent Action Required for Conklin Davis Center Funding Approval</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAJEAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAkAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAgEAAEEBAA7" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://xzxexz.clicks.mlsend.com/tb/o/eyJpdiI6ImRubENoTFVDdUZ3dEhyRlVxc0szc2c9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiL1dzK0hqb2JuWW1OQ2FZVGp3c2VwL2JEYlB0VkpyZ3UyY1Rjd0luY2Vnb0ZDczdMYUdrNzNDTnZiTFJjVHpFZFVEcUdrQ251aFBsRytYU21KbCt3V2Q3ek9DMGtxK3o3NEtMdFdEVWFpUGs9IiwibWFjIjoiYTA0NzNjMDVlMTAwM2JkODNlYTY0NGM3OTE0ZGYxZDY5YTA4MDY4MTk0ZjNjZjdjY2E0ZGRlZjliZDZiYWJhMiIsInRhZyI6IiJ9?signature=6ebbe530d6c2ecb31cfd52d1e95bb7f5d51248d7f3aaaea51fcd3db46d6c6f33" /></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> View in browser <span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> (386) 258-3441</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.conklindavis.org/">www.conklindavis.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>The Conklin Davis Center serves over 500 individuals each year. We teach our blind and visually impaired students how to move about the community, navigate employment, live independently, and much more. As a non-profit, funding and donations make this all possible!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>We recently applied for funding from the Florida legislature to support the residential program. We are anxiously awaiting the governor’s final approval of the 2024-2025 state budget in which the Conklin Davis Center has requested funding approved by the legislature. Our lobbyists suggest sending letters of support to the governor’s office to ensure that he does not veto our request.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Below is a sample template we have drafted for you to personalize if you would like to use it. Feel free to edit any way you wish, or do not use it at all.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Will you please send this email to any of your contacts whom you think will support us? Thank you!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>SAMPLE EMAIL – You can change any part of it below as you like to support our agency.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Please email your support to:<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><a href="mailto:CURBOW.DANIELLE@flsenate.gov">CURBOW.DANIELLE@flsenate.gov</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>[Your Name]<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>[Your street Address]<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>[City, State, Zip Code]<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>[Your Email Address]</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>[Your Phone Number]</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>[Date]</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Re: Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>405 White Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Dear Governor DeSantis:<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the Conklin Davis Center (the Center) and its invaluable contributions to our community. As a [state who you are and how you are connected, organization, e.g., long-time supporter, student, parent, volunteer, beneficiary, etc.], I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the positive impact that the Center has on the lives of individuals and families in need. The Center plays a critical role in addressing the needs of blind and visually impaired individuals in the state by providing essential services, resources, and support to those facing visual impairment. The programs, initiatives, and services provided by the Center for over 40 years have made a tangible difference in helping blind people finish their education, find employment, learn to live independently, and become employed in their communities.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Of special note is their unique services to multiply-disabled blind adults in the residential vocational rehabilitation program. These clients have at least one other significant disability in addition to their blindness. Many are just 18 years old when they arrive and have very few skills required for independent living. I have had the opportunity to [share personal experiences or anecdotes illustrating the impact of the nonprofit], and I am continually impressed by the commitment, compassion, and professionalism of the Conklin Davis Center’s team. We are the only agency in Florida serving this population.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of Conklin Davis Center, and I am proud to offer my support in any way possible. I am confident that with continued community backing, the Conklin Davis Center will continue to thrive and make a lasting difference in the lives of those they serve.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Thank you for your dedication to the blind community of Florida, and please do not hesitate to reach out if I give you any more information about the wonderful work of the Conklin Davis Center.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Sincerely,<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Your Name<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'>Your Title or Affiliation</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:#1179C9'><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><Conklin Davis April 22 2024 letter to governor.docx><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>