[Nfbf-l] a successful White Cane Day Awareness celebration

[Sherri]

I failed to mention that those who attended also included Orlando City 
commissioner Robert Stewart as well as Ana Cruz from Commissioner Tony 
Ortiz's office. Thank you.

Sherri
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sherri
  To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
  Sent: Friday, October 10, 2014 2:53 PM
  Subject: a successful White Cane Day Awareness celebration


  Hello all,

  The National Federation of the Blind of Central Florida with participation 
from Lighthouse Central Florida, Greater Orlando Council of the Blind, the 
V.A. and other groups held a very successful White Cane Day awareness 
celebration this morning in downtown Orlando. We also had the involvement of 
the Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sherif's Department in 
assisting with street crossings and letting drivers know about the White 
Cane Law. We passed out candy canes with the White Cane Law stapled to them 
as well as other brochures that Lighthouse Central Florida helped with that 
also raised awareness about the law. We were honored to have proclamations 
presented both from Orange county Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who was not in 
attendance, as well as the honorable Mayor Buddy Dyer who attended and 
presented the proclamation from the City of Orlando. Mayor Dyer and his 
assistants also crossed busy Orange Avenue under blindfold, as did many 
others who attended. We also had a very nice letter submitted by Congressman 
John Mica, who has been a tireless advocate for the disabled of Florida for 
many years. Though he was not able to be there, he sent his assistants Barry 
and Hannah and Barry read the congressman's letter to us. Congresswoman 
Corrine Brown also sent a representative from her office.

  We got media coverage from WKMG Channel 6 television. I believe their 
first broadcast is at 5 P.M.

  After the event, many of us met for lunch.

  As chair of the event (taking over for Tonie Clavie who moved out of the 
area), I am thrilled that it was such a success. I want to thank all those 
who took part in whatever way they did. If I start naming names, i will 
surely leave out someone, so just know that I really appreciate your help. 
We had a count of 43 blind or visually impaired people who attended. I hope 
next year's celebration will be even bigger and better. To those who were 
not there, you missed a really enjoyable time.


  Sherri Brun

  Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
  Integrity is what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no 
one is paying attention.
  Sherri Brun
  NFBF Newsline Chair
  flmom2006 at gmail.com