[NFBK] Fwd: Merchants Call to Action

[Cathy Jackson]

Good Saturday Morning,
I am hoping that most of us have already sent our letters to the President
and Congress to ask them to appropriate funds for our Randolph-Sheppard
vendors who’s facilities have been shut down because of COVID-19. Below you
will find a more in-depth explanation of the situation and the link to send
your letter.
Cathy
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Terry Smith <president at nfbtn.org>
Date: Sat, Apr 4, 2020 at 12:15 AM
Subject: Merchants Call to Action
To: <StatePresidents at nfb.org>


Hello Fellow Affiliate Presidents:  See the note below from Nicky Gacos,
President of the Merchants Division. Your members can help by clicking on
the link and  going to the  website that will make it very easy to send a
letter to the president and Congress to appropriate funds to vendors who
are Randolph-Sheppard

Thanks!
Terry Smith, NFBTN President



Dear NABM Member:



​As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our blind
entrepreneurs.
Approximately 75% of our blind entrepreneurs have seen their businesses
either shut completely down or seriously curtailed.  Congress has provided
some relief for small businesses but the Randolph-Sheppard Program is
unique.  We need to let Congress know that more needs to be done to assist
our hard working men and women who feed our government employees every day.


​Please click on the link below and send letters to the President, both of
your U.S. Senators, and your Member in the House of Representatives.  The
Randolph-Sheppard Act authorizes Congress to appropriate funds for the
Randolph-Sheppard Program.  It never has.  We are asking Congress for the
first time to appropriate dollars that can be used to provide relief for
our displaced blind entrepreneurs and emergency funding to the states so
they can meet their responsibilities as the state licensing agencies.  Go to
:
https://blindmerchantsspeakout.org/alert/-urge_congress_to_appropriate_funds_to_help_blind_ven
dors/message/congress/write?style=webform



It is simple.  Just put in your name and address, click on “Preview Message”
and then hit “Submit” and your letters will be sent.  Act now and let the
collective voices of the blind be heard.



Sincerely,







Nicky Gacos, President





The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between
blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is
not what holds you back.
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