<div dir="auto"><b>Request for distribution by Janie Degenshein, NFBNJ Board of Directors and President Senior snd Technology Divisions </b></div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt">After a few weeks of recollection and reflection, I am still in
shock
over the wonderful recognition I received at the banquet.</span><br></div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="FONT-SIZE:14pt;FONT-FAMILY:'Arial';COLOR:#000000">
<div>The transforming dreams award now proudly is displayed in my kitchen
under
my favorite poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson titled Success. </div>
<div>that reads. . . </div>
<div>To laugh often and much; </div>
<div>To win the respect of intelligent people </div>
<div>and the affection of children; </div>
<div>To earn the appreciation of honest critics </div>
<div>and endure the betrayal </div>
<div>of false friends; </div>
<div>To appreciate beauty; </div>
<div>To find the best in others; </div>
<div>To leave the world a bit better, whether by </div>
<div>a healthy child, a garden patch </div>
<div>or a redeemed social condition; </div>
<div>To know even one life has breathed </div>
<div>easier because you have lived; </div>
<div>This is to have succeeded. </div>
<div>Ralph Waldo Emerson </div>
<div>and now the tribute to me is underneath that and I will share the intro
and
plaque wording here as well. </div>
<div>NFBNJ Raising Expectations Award </div>
<div>Saturday, November 12, 2022 </div>
<div>The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey’s Raising
Expectations
award is given to Federationist who have provided our organization dedicated
service over many years. Additionally, persons who win this award must
express
our positive attitude toward blindness not only with their words, but with
their
lives. They should be a role model and mentor to blind and sighted alike.
Tonight’s award recipient more than meets these qualifications. </div>
<div>Our recipient began her involvement with our movement in 1993, when she
assisted her daughter, Rachael, to edit the Sounding Board, our affiliate’s
newsletter. In partnership with Trisha Ebel, and then Jerry Moreno, she
co-hosted monthly Internet radio shows, where they encouraged a positive
outlook
on blindness and life. </div>
<div>Our recipient spent her professional career as a certified music
educator,
so It’s not surprising that she has encouraged us all, through the years to
fill
our conventions with singing. I especially remember Can Do. </div>
<div>She has been the president of our Seniors Division since its founding
in
2010, and president of our Technology Division since 2013. These are two of
our
most dynamic and productive organizations in our affiliate, due to her
leadership. She serves on our affiliate’s board of directors, and on the
board
of our National Senior Division. For many years, she has led a CBVI support
group called ECHO (Eyes Closed, Hearts Open). </div>
<div>She and her husband, Larry, who have been married 43 years, have 3
daughters and 4 grandchildren, all avid basketball fans. It is safe to say
that
her family has been the light and love of her life. </div>
<div>This catalog of dedication and service commands our respect. What
inspires
our love and gratitude is how tonight’s recipient makes everyone she meets
feel
welcomed and cherished and loved, whether in a group or individually. It’s
hard
to describe, but most of you know exactly what I mean. </div>
<div>So, without further ado, let me present the winner of our Raising
Expectations award for 2022, Jane Degenshein. </div>
<div>Plaque </div>
<div>National Federation of the Blind </div>
<div>New Jersey </div>
<div>Live the life you want </div>
<div>You make it happen! </div>
<div>Presents the RAISING EXPECTATIONS AWARD to </div>
<div>Jane Degenshein </div>
<div>In Recognition of Invaluable Contributions to the Quality of Life of
the
Blind of NJ and the Nation </div>
<div>Your contribution is measured not in steps, but in miles; </div>
<div>Not by individual experiences, but by the impact you have had on the
lives
of the blind. </div>
<div>Whenever we have asked, you have answered. </div>
<div>We call you our colleague with respect. </div>
<div>We call you our friend with love. </div>
<div>Together, with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into
reality. </div>
<div>November 12, 2022 </div>
<div>From the grateful members of the NFBNJ </div>
<div>*** </div>
<div>And so, with the holiday season on the horizon, I am grateful everyday
and
wanted to thank all the members of our beautiful affiliate and hope that I
can
continue to make our members smile, laugh and sing their own moments of awe!
</div>
<div>Keep Smiling,</div>
<div>Janie Degenshein</div>
<div>Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already
have!</div>
<div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font size="4">Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br></font></span><font size="4"><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></span><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>Facebook: </i><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></i></font></font></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span></span>To schedule a 30-minute meeting <span>about the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey please </span>click on the link below</font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min</a></font></div></div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div>