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<DIV dir=ltr class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT size=2
face=Tahoma>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
nfbnet-master-list-bounces@nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfbnet-master-list-bounces@nfbnet.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Freeh,Jessica
(by way of David Andrews <dandrews@visi.com>) (by way of David Andrews
<dandrews@visi.com>)<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, November 15, 2010 10:18
PM<BR><B>To:</B> nfbnet-master-list@nfbnet.org<BR><B>Subject:</B>
[Nfbnet-master-list] National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa to
Promote Braille Literacy<BR><BR></FONT></DIV><FONT
face=Garamond><BR></FONT><B>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<BR><BR><FONT size=5
face="Helvetica, Helvetica"> <BR><BR></FONT><FONT
face=Garamond>CONTACT:<BR><BR></B>Chris Danielsen<BR><BR>Director of Public
Relations <BR><BR>National Federation of the Blind<BR><BR>(410) 659-9314,
extension 2330<BR><BR>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<BR><BR><A
href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</A><BR><BR>
<DIV align=center><BR><BR></FONT><FONT face="Helvetica, Helvetica"><B>National
Federation of the Blind <BR>Partners with Santa to Promote Braille
Literacy<BR><BR></B></FONT></DIV><FONT size=5
face=Garamond> <BR><BR></FONT><FONT face=Garamond><B>Baltimore, Maryland
(November 15, 2010):</B> Once again, Santa has enlisted the help of the
elves at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute to get
Braille letters out to hundreds of blind boys and girls this Christmas
season. <BR><BR> <BR><BR>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National
Federation of the Blind, said: �Santa approached the National Federation of the
Blind a couple of years ago and asked us to be his helpers. I�m quite fond
of the fellow and was delighted that we could assist him in his work.
Braille literacy is the key to success and opportunity for the blind, but
unfortunately too few blind children are learning it today. This program
will not only spread holiday cheer but will also serve an important educational
purpose, as blind children will be able to practice reading Braille as they
enjoy their letter from merry Saint Nicholas.�<BR><BR> <BR><BR>Between
November 15 and December 20, parents can go online at <A
href="http://www.nfb.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org</A> and fill out a Santa
Braille Letter request form. The form can also be printed and faxed to
(410) 685-2340. Beginning December 1, the Braille letters from Santa will
start going out to boys and girls around the country. The Braille letter
will also be accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read), and parents
can choose the contracted or uncontracted form of Braille for the letter.
Requests for letters must include the writer�s name, the child�s name, birthday,
gender, mailing address, and a telephone number or e-mail address in case
Santa�s helpers at the National Federation of the Blind have
questions.<BR><BR><BR></FONT><FONT face="Helvetica, Helvetica">The deadline for
letter requests is December 20, to ensure that a return letter in Braille is
received before Christmas. For more information about this and other
programs of the National Federation of the Blind, please visit our Web site at
<A href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</A>. <BR><BR></FONT>
<DIV align=center><FONT size=5 face=Garamond><B><BR><BR></FONT><FONT
face=Garamond> <BR><BR>###<BR><BR></DIV> <BR><BR>About the National
Federation of the Blind<BR><BR></B>With more than 50,000 members, the National
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership
organization of blind people in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />United States. The NFB
improves blind people�s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology,
and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the
leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States
for the blind led by the blind. Please visit our Web site: <A
href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</A>.<BR><BR></FONT><FONT size=5
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