[Nfbf-l] Jacksonville Cut-A-Thon media coverage

[Sherri]

That's really great! You certainly come up with original ideas. You should 
let the NFB fund-raiser list know about this. Great job Jacksonville.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gina Minichiello" <minichiellog at comcast.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 9:19 AM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Jacksonville Cut-A-Thon media coverage


> Yesterday, the GreaterJacksonville Chapter had its first annual 
> Cut-A-Thon. I've pasted the link and the article below that was in the 
> Florida Times Union today. The reporter was there for an hour and even got 
> a haircut. I'll send out the event info later.
>
> http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-03-30/story/benefit_cuts
>
> Hair-cutting event raises money for visually impaired
> 70 Jacksonville-area cosmetologists took part in the event.
> By Kevin Turner Story updated at 6:41 AM on Monday, Mar. 30, 2009 EMAIL 
> PRINT BLOG THIS COMMENT Buzz up!
> Photos Video
> Photo 1 of 2
> DON BURK/The Times-Union
> Hyun Devine works on the hair of Racheal Escobar on Sunday during the 
> cut-a-thon benefit.
> DON BURKPhoto 2 of 2
> DON BURK/The Times-Union
> Ashley Jenkins works Sunday on Carey Baker, a University of North Florida 
> student, at the first multi-salon "Cut-A-Thon" to raise money for the 
> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
> .
> DON BURK
> Cosmetologist Brenda Henderson of The Spa at Tre Salon took her usual care 
> Sunday in styling a client's hair, but the difference that day was she did 
> it free.
>
> And she was glad to do it, she said.
>
> Henderson was one of about 70 Jacksonville area cosmetologists who gave 
> free haircuts and stylings in a multi-salon "Cut-A-Thon" that raised money 
> for the local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, 
> an organization for visually impaired people.
>
> "It seemed like such a great cause," Henderson said. "I thought it would 
> be fun to get together with the other salons and do something for the 
> community."
>
> The North Florida Institute-Jacksonville campus, at 5995 University Blvd. 
> W., hosted the event, and 16 salons participated.
>
> "Today we have a total of seven of our staff coming out to support our 
> event," said Jackie McDonald, who owns The Spa at Tre Salon. "We're very 
> blessed to have a gift to offer the community."
>
> It was the brainchild of coordinator Larry Marten, a hair-care products 
> salesman who works with the salons involved. Coordinating the event was an 
> opportunity to give back to the community and to help the federation's 
> greater Jacksonville chapter, which includes Marten's blind son, Eric, 16, 
> as a member.
>
> "This particular group has always been challenged to try to raise money," 
> he said. Previous fundraising efforts have fizzled, he noted, but the 
> cut-a-thon has a lot of people supporting it, and he pledged there will be 
> another one next year.
>
> "The salons have been ultra-gracious in saying they want to do it, too," 
> he said.
>
> People who came to get their hair cut at the North Florida Institute 
> benefited, too, because they paid $10 for a cut and styling that likely 
> would have cost them more at the salons where the stylists work. When it 
> was done, they'd given 120 haircuts, Marten said.
>
> Donna Galley found out about the event at Florida Community College at 
> Jacksonville, where she is taking classes, she said.
>
> "Because it's for the National Federation of the Blind and I happen to be 
> legally blind myself, it's to support the cause," she said of her visit to 
> the cut-a-thon.
>
> Joe Minichiello, president of the Jacksonville chamber of the National 
> Federation of the Blind, said the proceeds will help send members to 
> conventions and to bring the region's visually impaired and their families 
> together for an annual spring picnic.
>
> The organization also has a Braille literacy campaign, a national job 
> service and other resource programs for the blind.
>
> "Any time we can get assistance with raising funds, especially in a good 
> event like this, it's definitely appreciated," Minichiello said.
>
> About 70 percent of blind people are unemployed and only 10 percent of 
> blind students are taught Braille in school today, he said.
>
> "Technology has come a long way, but if you don't read, you lose a lot," 
> he said.
>
> The federation's programs add up to ways blind people can feel more a part 
> of the general populace, he said.
>
> "It lets people know it's OK to be blind," said Minichiello, who also is 
> blind. "You can have a normal, productive life."
>
> Eric Marten, for one, is very active.
>
> "I'm a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do, and understanding the 
> sighted world has helped me integrate," he said.
>
> kevin.turner at jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4609
>
>
>
> Gina Minichiello, Board Member
> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
> Treasurer, Greater Jacksonville Chapter
> minichiellog at comcast.net
>
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