[nfbmi-talk] NFB in the Community:

[Larry Posont]

Dear Michigan Federationists:
     Here is some important information I suspect many will be interested in.

Larry Posont

NFB in the Community:
Changing What it Means to be Blind


In today's society, overcoming misconceptions about blindness poses a
constant challenge. However, through educating the public and
raising awareness, community perceptions about blindness can be
changed. Here are ways that your affiliate, chapter, or division can
raise both awareness and funds!

Raising the Funds to Raise Awareness

Uno Chicago Grill is known for its delicious pizza! The restaurant is
constantly looking for new nonprofits and organizations to
host a Dough Raiser. A Dough Raiser is simple. You fill out a free
application on the Uno's web site and coordinate with your local
Uno's restaurant manager to set a date. Once a date has been set,
market the fundraiser. Tell everyone you know to join your
affiliate, chapter, or division at UNO's on the specified date to
enjoy a meal for a cause! Make sure to provide interested guests
with Dough Raiser donation tickets. Guests will provide the Dough
Raiser donation ticket to their waiter when they arrive at Uno for
the Dough Raiser. This will ensure that a percentage of their bill
will be donated to your affiliate, chapter, or division.
Affiliates, chapters, and divisions can earn up to 20 percent of each
bill of participating guests.

A Dough Raiser is also a great opportunity to share information about
the NFB and blindness with the public. When promoting your
Dough Raiser, you can hand out tickets stapled or paper clipped to
What is the NFB brochures and NFB Alphabet Braille Cards. If you
belong to a religious establishment, community club, and/or any other
group, you can share the information about the Dough Raiser
and the NFB with them. Encourage the members to attend the Dough
Raiser and eat a delicious meal for a cause!

In the Community

The month of November is a great time for community events.
Thanksgiving presents many opportunities for individuals to give back
and enjoy company. This Thanksgiving season, consider serving food at
a shelter in the community. Not only will your affiliate,
chapter, or division be helping families in the community, but they
will also be helping to spread information to the public about
blindness.

Also, you can check to see if your community will be hosting a
Thanksgiving parade. If so, find out how your affiliate or chapter
can get involved. Consider walking in the parade holding a NFB banner
or passing out information about the NFB to attendees. Get
creative to spark interest among the parade attendees!

Contact us

If your affiliate, chapter, or division uses any of the tips, let us
know! Send us pictures, videos, and audio, along with a
description of what you did, to Melissa Kobelinski at
mkobelinski at nfb.org<mailto:mkobelinski at nfb.org>.

If you have hosted or participated in an event in your community to
raise either awareness or funds and would like to share your
success stories, please contact Melissa Kobelinski by e-mail,
mkobelinski at nfb.org<mailto:mkobelinski at nfb.org>, or by phone, (410)
659-9314, extension 2423.


Melissa Kobelinski
 Jernigan Institute
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410) 659-9314 ext 2423