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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From the Desk of Linda Melendez, First Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Submitted by Ellen Sullivan, Affiliate Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Greetings all:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I am proud to share the news that our fearless leader and NFBNJ President, Joseph Ruffalo has been awarded the 2020 <span style='color:#202124'>Lydia Young Hayes Trailblazer Award. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202124'>This award is given every 10 years to </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>outstanding CBVI stakeholders and consumers who are selected by a committee after their review of the many nominations received. </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>His award will be presented during the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s virtual 110<sup>th</sup> anniversary celebration at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020 via Zoom. As we receive the Zoom information, we will forward.</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank you to the affiliate board members who shared their personal and professional reasons why Joe should receive this award. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>A special thank you to Annemarie Cooke, Chair NFBNJ Communications Committee for gathering these reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>It was my honor and privilege as your First Vice President to submit this nomination on behalf of our membership.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I am thrilled the nominating committee recognized the many contributions Joe has made to the blind community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Congratulations Joe! You deserve this honor and we love you dearly! Your tireless contributions to the NFB, NFBNJ and Jersey residents for over 3 decades is much appreciated. You have made it respectable to be blind and empowered us to live the lives we want because You Care<span style='color:#333333'>; You Share, You help us to Grow and You Make A Difference!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Warmly, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Linda Melendez, 1st Vice President <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br><a href="mailto:lindamelendez220@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>lindamelendez220@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>