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<title>Please Read: Urgent Action Required for Conklin Davis Center Funding Approval</title>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Hello Floridians,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Florida legislature has approved the needed extra funding for blind students at the Conklin Davis Center and is awaiting the Governor’s approval.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Gratefully,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Brian Edward Norton<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Florida Bar #1033481<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">NFBF Greater Daytona Beach President<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Conklin Davis Center for the visually Impaired Board<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Assistant Regional Conflict Counsel Florida District5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="mailto:briannorton.flalaw@gmail.com"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">briannorton.flalaw@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">386.871.3359<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“Kindness is an Attitude the Blind can See and the Deaf can Hear”- Mark Twain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<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"> Conklin Davis Center <rdavid@cvicentralflorida.org>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, April 28, 2024 3:33 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> brian.edward.norton@outlook.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Please Read: Urgent Action Required for Conklin Davis Center Funding Approval<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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" /><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> View in browser <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> (386) 258-3441<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">www.conklindavis.org<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will you please send this email to any of your contacts whom you think will support us? Thank you!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SAMPLE EMAIL – You can change any part of it below as you like to support our agency.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please email your support to: CURBOW.DANIELLE@flsenate.gov<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[Your Name] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[Your street Address] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[City, State, Zip Code] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[Your Email Address]<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[Your Phone Number]<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[Date]<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Re: Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">405 White Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Governor DeSantis: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your Name <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your Title or Affiliation<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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