[nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited fortheBlindTheBlind Planet
joe harcz Comcast
joeharcz at comcast.net
Fri Feb 21 21:45:02 UTC 2014
Again doesn't go to OUB per se, but rather to a state employee being on a
private board where his agency's funds may or may not be involved.
Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "MPVI" <amyshepherd at mpvi.org>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2014 4:41 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited
fortheBlindTheBlind Planet
> Fair enough and yet transparent on the part of OUB. Awareness is
> important as is ethical behavior. Good thread...I've spent a lot of time
> thinking about it this afternoon.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Amy
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Feb 21, 2014, at 3:30 PM, "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> This is the list of the Board of Directors from OUB's Sept.-Oct. 2013
>> newsleetter Amy and all. I don't know how accurate it is today.
>>
>> But Mr. Essenberg is listed and also as an employee of BSBP.
>>
>> Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB)
>>
>> Board of Directors
>>
>> Officers:
>>
>> Casey Dutmer, Chair; BEP operator, retired
>>
>> Karla Piper, Vice Chair; Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
>>
>> Mary Sibley, Secretary; Ellis Parking
>>
>> Renee Baird, Treasurer; Amway
>>
>>
>>
>> Members:
>>
>> Larry Alman; Michigan Liquor Control Commission, retired
>>
>> Rob Essenberg; Bureau of Services to Blind Persons
>>
>> Fred Wurtzel; Lansing Community College
>>
>> Scott Norris; Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
>>
>> Rob Wing-Proctor; US Military, retired
>>
>> Laura McGannon; Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Amy Shepherd" <amyshepherd at mpvi.org>
>> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2014 3:10 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for
>> theBlindTheBlind Planet
>>
>>
>>> Thanks Joe. Like I said there were counselors placed as part of the BSBP
>>> training program that were paid by BSBP funds.
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On Feb 21, 2014, at 3:03 PM, "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi AAmy,
>>>>
>>>> Here are just some payments to OUB from LARA/BSBP last fiscal year.
>>>>
>>>> I have no real issues with anyone in OUB one way or another but when a
>>>> state employee is on the Board of Directors he or she, if a state
>>>> employee cannot steer any money in to that outfit and simply shouldn't
>>>> be on the Board.
>>>>
>>>> It is patently unethical and in fact goes against LARA's and other
>>>> state agency conflict of interest policies.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Note that most of the state funding comes from education to OUB and
>>>> they don't have anyone from education on the board to my knoledge which
>>>> is simply as it should be.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Joe
>>>> Payments to OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED FOR BLIND INC by LICENSING AND
>>>> REGULATORY AFFAIRS for fiscal year 2013
>>>>
>>>> Table with 4 columns and 5 rows
>>>> Agency Name
>>>> Category Description
>>>> Warrant Date
>>>> Payments Total
>>>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>>>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>>>> 9/18/2013
>>>> $1,880.16
>>>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>>>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>>>> 9/6/2013
>>>> $450.00
>>>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>>>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>>>> 8/9/2013
>>>> $1,504.12
>>>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>>>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>>>> 7/29/2013
>>>> $400.00
>>>> table end
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Amy Shepherd"
>>>> <amyshepherd at mpvi.org>
>>>> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2014 2:36 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for the
>>>> BlindTheBlind Planet
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> OUB does not receive funding from the BSBP. In the past couple of
>>>>> years they have had Blind students who were placed at Camp T as
>>>>> counselors as part of the BSBP job training/placement program. Their
>>>>> salaries were paid by the BSBP. It is a valuable collaboration and a
>>>>> good opportunity for Transition aged students to get on the job
>>>>> training and work experience they need.
>>>>>
>>>>> Amy Shepherd
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Feb 21, 2014, at 1:58 PM, "joe harcz Comcast"
>>>>>> <joeharcz at comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> He is a state employee on the board of an outfit that is funded in
>>>>>> part by BSBP
>>>>>> That is why it is relevent. It is a conflict of interest.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com>
>>>>>> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2014 1:44 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for the
>>>>>> Blind TheBlind Planet
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> How is this relevant?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>> J.J.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2/17/2014 5:15 PM, joe harcz Comcast wrote:
>>>>>>>> Is Essenberg and are other BSBP employees still members of the OUB
>>>>>>>> Board?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Posont"
>>>>>>>> <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>> To: "nfbmi List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 4:47 PM
>>>>>>>> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
>>>>>>>> TheBlind Planet
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The Blind Planet
>>>>>>>>> February 2014
>>>>>>>>> OUB is a charitable nonprofit organization under Section 501c3. We
>>>>>>>>> gladly accept your generous donations!
>>>>>>>>> Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind's mission is to enrich the
>>>>>>>>> quality of life of people who are blind and visually impaired
>>>>>>>>> through
>>>>>>>>> lifelong education and recreation.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Breaking News!
>>>>>>>>> Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind is now partnering with four
>>>>>>>>> organizations to provide great experiences for children, youth and
>>>>>>>>> adults with blindness or visual impairment! Our new camp home is
>>>>>>>>> Indian Trails Camp in Grand Rapids, and we are working with
>>>>>>>>> Michigan
>>>>>>>>> Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, the Association for
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> Blind and Visually Impaired in Grand Rapids, and Running Blind,
>>>>>>>>> who is
>>>>>>>>> sponsoring our fabulous Adventure Trip! See inside for more
>>>>>>>>> details!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From your Executive Director, Gwen Botting
>>>>>>>>> Happy February, everyone! Who knew that we were going to have
>>>>>>>>> record
>>>>>>>>> weather all over the country this winter?
>>>>>>>>> If you are having trouble coping with this season's challenges, it
>>>>>>>>> might help to imagine our Spring and Summer events and camps,
>>>>>>>>> coming
>>>>>>>>> very soon! All of our camps in 2014 are being offered through
>>>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>>>> great partnerships with Indian Trails Camp (our new camp home),
>>>>>>>>> Michigan Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (MPVI), the
>>>>>>>>> Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI), and
>>>>>>>>> Running
>>>>>>>>> Blind.
>>>>>>>>> Our Spring Fling will be a lovely weekend at ITC spent in nature,
>>>>>>>>> enjoying each other and the music of our feathered friends and
>>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>>>>>> and visually impaired campers! So find your dancing shoes and
>>>>>>>>> come on
>>>>>>>>> out for a great time! Also coming soon is our Michigan Parents of
>>>>>>>>> Children with Visual Impairments (MPVI) Family Camp weekend, where
>>>>>>>>> one
>>>>>>>>> of our activities will be to install our new garden - requiring
>>>>>>>>> woodworking as well as gardening, and we want everyone to have a
>>>>>>>>> chance with a hammer and a shovel! Previous experience not
>>>>>>>>> required!
>>>>>>>>> We also have a completely new camp, Blindness Immersion, that is a
>>>>>>>>> 2-week camp, or you can come to just the first week or just the
>>>>>>>>> second
>>>>>>>>> - whatever fits your life and your schedule. Blindness Immersion
>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>> just that - all things blind! Music, art, cooking, daily living
>>>>>>>>> skills, sports, nature - everything will be offered both weeks of
>>>>>>>>> camp. If you are 14 or older and want to take part in the
>>>>>>>>> Association
>>>>>>>>> for the Blind and Visually Impaired's Summer in the City program,
>>>>>>>>> never fear! We are currently working things out with ABVI so that
>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>> can attend BOTH programs, and making transportation easier for
>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>> family! It's going to be an awesome opportunity! We end the
>>>>>>>>> season
>>>>>>>>> with two fantastic camps: Survivor Art Camp, focusing on survival
>>>>>>>>> skills at Camp Optimist and on exploring the art community in
>>>>>>>>> Grand
>>>>>>>>> Rapids, and our Running Blind Adventure Camp, sponsored by Running
>>>>>>>>> Blind, an organization dedicated to fostering athletic endeavors
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> blind and visually impaired persons. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST
>>>>>>>>> AWESOME ADVENTURE TRIP EVER! Sign up soon, because, for only $200
>>>>>>>>> per
>>>>>>>>> camper, this trip is available to ONLY the first 15 campers to
>>>>>>>>> register!
>>>>>>>>> There is a lot coming up, and you can help and have fun by
>>>>>>>>> attending
>>>>>>>>> our fundraiser, Bowling Blast! This event will be held this
>>>>>>>>> coming
>>>>>>>>> Sunday, February 16. See flyer inside for more details! You can
>>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>>> check out Indian Trails camp this weekend - see flyer for their
>>>>>>>>> Snow
>>>>>>>>> Ball Dance!
>>>>>>>>> Looking forward to seeing YOU at camp!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Gwen
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Winter Bowling Blast
>>>>>>>>> Please mark your calendars for this exciting event:
>>>>>>>>> Sunday, February 16
>>>>>>>>> 2:00pm
>>>>>>>>> Park Center Lanes, 2222 28th St SW Wyoming, Michigan
>>>>>>>>> For $20 you get to bowl three games, includes shoes, 2 slices of
>>>>>>>>> pizza
>>>>>>>>> and a pop. If you are not a bowler, join us for the Silent Auction
>>>>>>>>> Sponsored by: Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 2014 Camp and Event Schedule
>>>>>>>>> Locations: Indian Trails Camp, 1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand
>>>>>>>>> Rapids, MI
>>>>>>>>> Camp Optimist, 10324 Lovers Lane NW, Grand Rapids, MI
>>>>>>>>> Camp-in-a-Box, Beaver Island and Lake Charlevoix, MI
>>>>>>>>> Date Event Location
>>>>>>>>> Jan 17-19 Snow Much Fun (family event) Indian Trails
>>>>>>>>> April 4-6 Spring Fling (family event) Indian Trails
>>>>>>>>> May 16-18 MPVI Family Camp/Open House Indian Trails and Camp O
>>>>>>>>> May 27- June 1 Staff Training with ITC staff ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>>>> June 4 - 8 Specialized Staff Training for OUB staff ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>>>> June 8 - 14 Tech Camp (Adults 18 and over) ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>>>> June 15 - 22 Blindness Immersion (Ages 7-HS)* ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>>>> June 22 - 28 Blindness Immersion (Ages 7-HS)* ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>>>> June 29 - 5 ------off------no camp
>>>>>>>>> July 6 - 12 Survivor Art Camp (Ages 12-HS)** Camp O only
>>>>>>>>> July 13-23 Running Blind Adventure Camp (Ages 12- HS)** Beaver Is,
>>>>>>>>> Lake Charlevoix
>>>>>>>>> October 24-26 Harvest Festival (family event) ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>>>> *campers may attend either or both weeks of Blindness Immersion
>>>>>>>>> Camp.
>>>>>>>>> Campers do not need to return home over the weekend between the
>>>>>>>>> two
>>>>>>>>> weeks of camp.
>>>>>>>>> **participants in Survivor Art may stay with us for the Adventure
>>>>>>>>> Trip
>>>>>>>>> without returning home in between camps - but they will be
>>>>>>>>> expected to
>>>>>>>>> help us pack!!!
>>>>>>>>> Join us for a great experience - fun and learning and friendships
>>>>>>>>> all-in-one package:
>>>>>>>>> OUB Camps!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Camp Descriptions - Everything you want to know!*
>>>>>>>>> *if we missed something, please call, email, or check out our
>>>>>>>>> website,
>>>>>>>>> www.oubmichigan.org
>>>>>>>>> Snow Much Fun January 17-19 - This was our first event at Indian
>>>>>>>>> Trails Camp and it was SO MUCH FUN! We "got lost" on a nature
>>>>>>>>> walk,
>>>>>>>>> made cardboard sleds, creatures out of vegetables and gingerbread
>>>>>>>>> houses, played games, ate s'mores and had hot chocolate, sat by
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> fire and had a great time! Indian Trails is a great camp for us!
>>>>>>>>> Spring Fling April 4-6 - Don't miss this fun family event with
>>>>>>>>> nature
>>>>>>>>> exploration, music, crafts, dancing, an auction and so much more!
>>>>>>>>> Held at Indian Trails Camp. Cost: $75 per family of 4, $20 each
>>>>>>>>> extra
>>>>>>>>> person.
>>>>>>>>> MPVI Family Camp/ Open House May 16-18 - We love Family Camp! MPVI
>>>>>>>>> co-sponsors this camp which will give families a great opportunity
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> explore both ITC and Camp Optimist, help put in our new garden at
>>>>>>>>> Camp
>>>>>>>>> O, and just relax and have fun together, play games, do special
>>>>>>>>> crafts
>>>>>>>>> designed just for you, and learn from each other. Held at ITC and
>>>>>>>>> Camp
>>>>>>>>> O. Cost: $75 per family of 4, $20 each extra person.
>>>>>>>>> Staff Training May 27-June 1 and June 4-8 - for those of you who
>>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>>> considering applying to work as a camp counselor this summer,
>>>>>>>>> consider
>>>>>>>>> working for OUB! Staff training will be held with ITC staff May
>>>>>>>>> 27 -
>>>>>>>>> June 1 and with OUB staff only from June 4-8. Held at ITC and
>>>>>>>>> Camp O.
>>>>>>>>> Tech Camp June 8 - 14 - for adults only (18 and over). This camp
>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>> for adults of any age who enjoy meeting others with blindness or
>>>>>>>>> visual impairment, like to have fun, and want to learn more about
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> latest in technical improvements and help with those they already
>>>>>>>>> own.
>>>>>>>>> Brush up on your cooking and life skills, too! Experts in the
>>>>>>>>> field
>>>>>>>>> will lead classes, and fun activities will be planned for the
>>>>>>>>> evenings. All meals included. Held at ITC and Camp O. Cost:
>>>>>>>>> $500
>>>>>>>>> per person. Hint: talk with your BSBP counselor about helping you
>>>>>>>>> attend this camp!
>>>>>>>>> Blindness Immersion June 15-28 (ages 7 - HS) or June 15-21 or
>>>>>>>>> June
>>>>>>>>> 22-28. This camp includes - well - EVERYTHING! Music, drama,
>>>>>>>>> art,
>>>>>>>>> cooking, like skills, sports, field trips (even a baseball game!),
>>>>>>>>> campfires, swimming (in a pool!), boating, singing silly songs -
>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>> things blind, all the time! Come to one week or both. SPECIAL
>>>>>>>>> ARRANGEMENT: for those students who are 14 and over who would like
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> attend the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired's
>>>>>>>>> Summer in
>>>>>>>>> the City Program, we are currently working out details to make it
>>>>>>>>> possible to do BOTH - OUB will provide transportation to and from
>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>> great program in Grandville, and participants can then come back
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> Indian Trails to participate in our evening and weekend
>>>>>>>>> activities,
>>>>>>>>> including overnight accommodations and meals. For more
>>>>>>>>> information on
>>>>>>>>> Blindness Immersion or the Special Arrangement, please call Gwen
>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>> 989-855-2430. For information about Summer in the City, contact
>>>>>>>>> Amy
>>>>>>>>> Schreiner at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>> 616-458-1187 extension 332. Held at ITC and Camp O. Cost: $1200
>>>>>>>>> per
>>>>>>>>> week or $2000 for 2-week camp. Reduced rates based on ability to
>>>>>>>>> pay.
>>>>>>>>> Scholarships available. Blindness Immersion/Summer in the City
>>>>>>>>> rates: $300 per week or $500 for two weeks.
>>>>>>>>> Survivor Art Camp July 6-12 (ages 12-HS) In this exciting reboot
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>> our wild and crazy new camp of 2013, Survivor Art Camp will be
>>>>>>>>> held at
>>>>>>>>> Camp Optimist, learning survival skills, sleeping in tents,
>>>>>>>>> participating in crazy challenges, cooking all of our own meals
>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>> also taking field trips to explore and do extremely cool
>>>>>>>>> 3-dimensional
>>>>>>>>> art with experienced artists in the Grand Rapids community. Held
>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>> Camp O. Cost: $1200. Reduced rates available based on ability to
>>>>>>>>> pay. Scholarships available. Special Rate: for participants in
>>>>>>>>> Survivor Art and Running Blind Adventure Camp, two-camp (2 1/2
>>>>>>>>> weeks)
>>>>>>>>> special rate is $600! What a deal!
>>>>>>>>> Running Blind Adventure Camp July 13-23 (ages 12-HS) THE
>>>>>>>>> ADVENTURE OF
>>>>>>>>> A LIFETIME! 5 days on Beaver Island and 5 days at Lake
>>>>>>>>> Charlevoix,
>>>>>>>>> all sponsored by Running Blind! Hop on one of our camp vans on
>>>>>>>>> July
>>>>>>>>> 13 for the ferry to Beaver Island, spend 5 days there exploring
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> camping, swimming and whatever else we can cook up, and then go
>>>>>>>>> back
>>>>>>>>> to the mainland for 5 days of adventures including Fort Mackinaw,
>>>>>>>>> zip
>>>>>>>>> lining, canoeing, track and field challenges, backyard barbeques
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> even parasailing! (That is, being lifted up on a giant kite over
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> water behind a boat! All events are with professional
>>>>>>>>> organizations
>>>>>>>>> and are inspected and safe!) You will NOT want to miss this! With
>>>>>>>>> the financial and organizational support of Running Blind, we can
>>>>>>>>> offer this camp for only $200! Limited to first 15 participants.
>>>>>>>>> Held at Beaver Island and Camp Whiting and various locations in NW
>>>>>>>>> MI
>>>>>>>>> Lower peninsula. Cost: $200 Special Rate: for participants in
>>>>>>>>> Survivor Art and Running Blind Adventure Camp, two-camp (2 1/2
>>>>>>>>> weeks)
>>>>>>>>> special rate is $600! What a deal!
>>>>>>>>> Harvest Festival October 24-26 It might be hard to think of the
>>>>>>>>> fall
>>>>>>>>> of 2014 right now, but plan on taking part in our Harvest Festival
>>>>>>>>> family event at ITC and Camp O. See what our new garden produced
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> us over the summer! Held at ITC and Camp O. Cost: $75 per family
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>> 4, $20 each extra person.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Pricing our camps - why so many options?
>>>>>>>>> We are trying a new pricing structure this summer. $1200 per week
>>>>>>>>> might sound like a lot, but we run small camps with a lot of staff
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> get a nearly one-to-one ratio of campers to staff. We find our
>>>>>>>>> kids
>>>>>>>>> learn best this way. We also have to pay a little more to hold
>>>>>>>>> camps
>>>>>>>>> at Indian Trails than in our previous location. $1200 is what it
>>>>>>>>> actually costs us to produce camps for your kids. We know that,
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> some families, paying $1200 may be what they can choose to do. But
>>>>>>>>> for most, that much is out of the question. So we are offering a
>>>>>>>>> $600
>>>>>>>>> half price option, and we are offering that rate for those of you
>>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>>> get scholarships from the State of Michigan Department of
>>>>>>>>> Education
>>>>>>>>> Trust Fund. That will allow you who qualify for those
>>>>>>>>> scholarships to
>>>>>>>>> come to at least two camps for free. For those who DO NOT qualify
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> MDE-LIO scholarships, but cannot afford $600, we have a third
>>>>>>>>> option.
>>>>>>>>> We will accept $200 from you, but we ask that you try to get
>>>>>>>>> scholarship money from other sources to make up the difference.
>>>>>>>>> All
>>>>>>>>> you have to do is write letters to local service organizations in
>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>> area, and send me a copy to show me that you asked for assistance.
>>>>>>>>> A
>>>>>>>>> sample letter is included in this newsletter! BUT HERE'S THE
>>>>>>>>> CATCH!!!
>>>>>>>>> A lot of service groups like Lions Clubs don't meet in the summer!
>>>>>>>>> If
>>>>>>>>> you plan to ask for scholarship assistance, you need to do it NOW!
>>>>>>>>> Better yet, ask your child to help you with the letter, so that
>>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>>> begin to understand the process of politely asking for help from
>>>>>>>>> groups that like to help others. It always helps if you are
>>>>>>>>> willing
>>>>>>>>> to share your child's story with the group you are asking for
>>>>>>>>> funds
>>>>>>>>> from. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!
>>>>>>>>> SPECIAL DEAL #1: Partnerships are allowing us to offer some camps
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> extraordinarily low rates! If you live in the Grand Rapids Area
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> your child is 14 or older, you may have heard of the STEPS program
>>>>>>>>> offered by the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, or their two-week (Monday
>>>>>>>>> through Thursday) summer program called Summer in the City. This
>>>>>>>>> program offers lots of experiences with cooking, managing money,
>>>>>>>>> taking public transportation and other important skills under the
>>>>>>>>> watchful eye of Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists and
>>>>>>>>> Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists. This is a really
>>>>>>>>> great
>>>>>>>>> program with a terrific track record. The only problem is, for
>>>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>>>> families, that parents often have to provide transportation both
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> and from this program 4 days a week for two weeks. HERE'S THE
>>>>>>>>> SPECIAL
>>>>>>>>> DEAL: Your blind or visually impaired teenager can come to
>>>>>>>>> Blindness
>>>>>>>>> Immersion Camp at Indian Trails AND to Summer in the City. Your
>>>>>>>>> student can stay with us overnight, have breakfast at Indian
>>>>>>>>> Trails,
>>>>>>>>> then we will provide transportation to the SITC program, pick them
>>>>>>>>> up
>>>>>>>>> in the afternoon, and they can stay with us and participate in all
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>> our evening activities. They can also stay THROUGH THE WEEKEND,
>>>>>>>>> June
>>>>>>>>> 20-22. The cost is only $300 for one week or $500 if
>>>>>>>>> participating in
>>>>>>>>> both weeks. WE hope you like this new option that will help more
>>>>>>>>> kids
>>>>>>>>> participate in both SITC and OUB CAMPS!
>>>>>>>>> SPECIAL DEAL #2: Running Blind, and organization dedicated to
>>>>>>>>> fostering athletic endeavors with people who are blind or visually
>>>>>>>>> impaired, is sponsoring our RUNNING BLIND ADVENTURE TRIP. This is
>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>> totally awesome combination - our great staff and programming
>>>>>>>>> ideas
>>>>>>>>> partnered with Hal Wolf and his ability to organize and fund
>>>>>>>>> events
>>>>>>>>> that he is passionate about. Entirely due to this passion and
>>>>>>>>> generosity, the cost to any camper attending this 11-day camp is
>>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>>>> $200. Again, DO NOT DELAY. Open only to the first 15
>>>>>>>>> registrants!
>>>>>>>>> This camp will fill fast!
>>>>>>>>> SPECIAL DEAL #3: For those of you 12 and older who are REALLY into
>>>>>>>>> Adventure, you can attend BOTH Survivor Art Camp AND the Running
>>>>>>>>> Bli
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfbmi-talk mailing list
>>>>> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
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>>>>
>>>>
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