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<font face="Garamond"><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=4><b>FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE<br><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=5> <br><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica">CONTACT:<br><br>
</b>John G. Paré Jr.<br>
Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives <br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2218<br>
(410) 917-1965 (Cell)<br>
jpare@nfb.org</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=5> <br><br>
</font><div align="center"><h1><font size=4><b>National Federation of the
Blind Launches <br>
Fundraising Campaign on eBay
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=7> </b></font></h1></div>
<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"><b>Baltimore, Maryland (February 3,
2011):</b> T</font><font face="Garamond">he National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) announced today that it will be a featured nonprofit on eBay
this month, offering everyone the opportunity to buy, sell, or donate to
support NFB’s job training programs.<br><br>
<br><br>
Between January 31, and February 6, eBay buyers will be given the option
of adding a $1 to $25 donation to the NFB when they make a purchase on
eBay. In addition to donating at checkout, supporters can also go
to the
<a href="http://donations.ebay.com/charity_event_60.html"><u>
"Workin’ It" campaign page</a></u> to make a direct donation to
the NFB or to buy or sell items that support the NFB. <br><br>
<br><br>
The NFB has been part of the eBay Giving Works program since 2009.
Since the <a href="http://www.ebaygivingworks.com/">eBay Giving Works</a>
program was created in 2003, eBay buyers and sellers have raised $230
million for U.S. and U.K charities, and there are currently 650,000 items
listed on the marketplace that benefit nonprofits, all designated with a
blue and yellow ribbon. The program offers several easy ways to
support a cause on eBay: sellers can donate a percentage of anything they
sell, buyers can add a donation to anything they buy, anyone can make an
immediate cash donation, and nonprofits can
<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/National-Federation-of-the-Blind?_rdc=1">
sell directly</a> to raise funds. eBay users can support the NFB
throughout the year whenever they buy and sell on eBay, simply by saving
the NFB as their
<a href="http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=34601">
favorite nonprofit</a> and donating 10–100% every time they create a
listing, or donating as little as $1 every time they check out. <br><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica"> <br><br>
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“The NFB is pleased with our relationship with eBay, a company that is
demonstrating true vision and leadership by creating exciting
opportunities for blind Americans. Being featured during the
checkout process of the world’s largest online marketplace is a wonderful
opportunity not only to raise funds to improve the lives of blind
Americans, but also to raise awareness about our organization and break
down misconceptions about the true capacities of the blind. We
thank eBay for this opportunity and look forward to continuing our work
together.” <br><br>
<br><br>
In September 2010, the NFB and eBay
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?ID=663&MODE=VIEW">
announced a partnership to increase employment and business opportunities
for blind Americans</a>. eBay.com now includes enhanced features
for users to buy, bid and sell using the keyboard alone, as well as
improved ways to navigate content using assistive technologies such as
screen access software. The blind can now more easily connect with
eBay’s 92 million users and shop from 200 million live listings.<br><br>
<br><br>
For more information about the NFB, please visit
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a>. <br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<div align="center"><b>###<br><br>
</b></font></div>
<font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=5> <br><br>
</font><font face="Garamond"><b>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 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. <br><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=5> <br><br>
</font><font face="Garamond"><b>About eBay Giving Works<br><br>
</b></font><font face="Garamond" size=5> <br><br>
</font><font face="Garamond"><a href="http://www.ebaygivingworks.com/">
eBay Giving Works,</a> powered by
<a href="http://www.missionfish.org/">MissionFish,</a> is a trusted and
effective program for nonprofit fundraising, helping people support their
favorite causes easily and conveniently on eBay. Sellers can donate
part, or all, of a sale to a participating nonprofit of their choice and
nonprofits can turn in-kind donations into unrestricted funding.
Buyers can easily find opportunities to support nonprofits while shopping
on eBay and anyone with a PayPal account can safely make an online
donation to fund a nonprofit’s extraordinary work.<br><br>
</font><font face="Helvetica, Helvetica" size=5> <br>
</font> <br>
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