[nfbmi-talk] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Brings Braille Silver Dollar to the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention

Mary Ann Rojek brightsmile1953 at comcast.net
Wed Nov 5 23:14:09 UTC 2008


    
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Schroeder, Fredric 
To: Schroeder, Fredric 
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 3:08 PM
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Brings Braille Silver Dollar to the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention


Dear Committee Members,

 Please feel free to distribute the below information to any you think might be interested. This partnership will give us a great opportunity to spread awareness of the literacy crisis, and will facilitate higher coin sales.

Fred Schroeder

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Public Relations Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

 

National Federation of the Blind Brings Braille Silver Dollar 
to the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention
 

Baltimore, Maryland (November 5, 2008): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB)-the country's leading promoter of Braille literacy-has announced the most significant initiative ever launched to support literacy for the blind.  The Braille Readers Are Leaders campaign (www.braille.org) will raise $8 million for Braille literacy programs. The initiative is based on sales of the Louis Braille commemorative silver dollar (to be issued by the U.S. Mint in spring 2009) plus matching fundraising.

 

The National Federation of the Blind has partnered with Whitman Coin and Collectibles Conventions (www.whitmanexpo.com) to promote this initiative among coin collectors.  The Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention is one of the nation's premier collectibles shows, open to the public and attracting more than 10,000 visitors three times per year.  Whitman also runs a show each Fall in Atlanta.

 

Visitors to the November 20-22 show at the Baltimore Convention Center will be greeted by large posters featuring the Braille dollar's design. The coin has a portrait of Louis Braille, who invented the reading and writing system that bears his name, and a scene of a blind child reading a book.  The word "Braille" is actually embossed on the coin in Braille. 

 

The National Federation of the Blind will have a booth at the convention.  Collectors can learn more about this special silver dollar, which is limited to a 400,000 mintage of coins.  NFB volunteers will introduce the organization to coin collectors with programs including a Braille reading demonstration.  Visitors can sign up for updates about the coin and the Braille Readers Are Leaders campaign and to learn more about how they can support the NFB's mission.

 

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind said, "We are pleased to be presenting a preview of the Louis Braille commemorative coin at the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention.  The convention offers us a valuable opportunity to share our knowledge about Braille literacy and information about the first-ever readable Braille coin."

 

The November 20-22 Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention has free admission and free educational forums.  Members of hobby clubs such as the Baltimore Coin Club, the Maryland State Numismatic Association, and the federally chartered American Numismatic Association will be at the show.  Friendly coin dealers are ready to answer questions, so visitors can bring in their coins and paper money and seek free appraisals.  "Kid's Korner" activities for young collectors start at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; children age six to fourteen who attend will go home with free coins and prizes.

 

The show hours are 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, and 10-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  For more information on Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention activities, please visit WhitmanExpo.com.  For more information on the NFB's Braille Readers Are Leaders program, please visit www.braille.org.



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