[NFBO-Springfield] FW: National Federation of the Blind Braille Letters from Santa/Winter Celebration

[dgventure915 at gmail.com]

Dear Jackie,

This is Debbie Baker. I remind you that I am president of the Springfield
chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio. I am forwarding the
letters to Santa form in case Springfield City Schools serve any young
children who might appreciate a Braille letter from Santa. These letters are
generated from the national office in Baltimore. We invite you to forward
the form and instructions to any parent or guardian whose child can benefit.

In addition, our chapter members would like to provide Christmas support for
a family in need who has a blind child. As transition coordinator for SCS, I
hope you can reach out to families whom you serve and relay our offer. You
can reach me at dgventure915 at gmail.com. I will send a separate email to give
you my cell number. I am also wondering if I should also forward the Santa
letters invitation to the SERRC. 

Thank you for your response.

Cordially,

Debbie Baker, President, NFB-Springfield


-----Original Message-----
From: todd at toddelzey.com <todd at toddelzey.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, November 9, 2021 3:05 PM
To: scott.inskeep at ketteringschools.org; carmella.friz at ketteringschools.org;
debbie.beiter at ketteringschools.org; amy.paul at ketteringschools.org;
laura.meek at ketteringschools.org; aaron.smith at ketteringschools.org;
micki.ambrose at ketteringschools.org; jennifer.paxson at ketteringschools.org;
dan.palmer at ketteringschools.org; brian.snyder at ketteringschools.org;
sarah.adams at ketteringschools.org; tyler.alexander at ketteringschools.org;
beth.pendergast at ketteringschools.org
Cc: kari.basson at ketteringschools.org
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Braille Letters from Santa/Winter
Celebration

Superintendent Inskeep and Kettering Principals:

Good afternoon. Many of you may know me as a local journalist that covers
Kettering for the Kettering Sentinel. But I happen to be legally blind, and
I am the elected Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio,
Ohio's largest organization of blind people working to improve the lives of
blind people.

The holiday season is fast approaching. Do you remember the excitement as a
child, or seeing the excitement of your children, as they wrote a letter to
Santa? Or how about the excitement when children receive a letter from
Santa? It is definitely a fantastic and magical time of year for many
children. Unfortunately, children who happen to be blind usually don't get
the same experience because they read braille, instead of print. The
National Federation of the Blind has a program to change this.

This year the National Federation of the Blind is preparing to send out
Brailled letters from Santa to blind children all around the country. 
The Federation also has a winter-themed letter for those who do not
celebrate Christmas. On behalf of the National Federation of the Blind of
Ohio, I would like to invite Kettering school district families who have
blind children to participate in the program. Below my message is an
informational release from our National Office on how individuals can
participate in the program.

Now stepping back into my role as a Journalist, if the district has any
children who participate in the program, I would love to report on their
participation and what receiving Brailled Santa or Winter-Themed letter
means to the children and their families. So, any assistance the district
can provide in connecting with these families would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for considering this information. Below, is the NFB informational
release, and please let me know if you have any questions about this
program.

"CELEBRATE IN DECEMBER WITH A BRAILLE LETTER: REQUEST A SANTA OR WINTER
LETTER TODAY

We are getting more Braille into the hands of blind and low-vision
children--introducing the improved Santa Letter and Winter Celebration
Program of the National Federation of the Blind. Each year, for many years
now, elves at the National Federation of the Blind have been Santa's helpers
in sending out Braille letters to children all around the country.
This year, we are expanding our program to have a winter themed Braille
letter for those who do not celebrate Christmas.

We are providing both letters and the activities to go along with them in
English and Spanish [2]. _Wouldn't your child, grandchild, or student love
to receive a Braille letter in the mail during the winter break?_ The
letters and activities provided in the celebration packet are in print as
well for sighted family members and friends.

Just think how fun it will be undertaking the activities that are included
with your child, grandchild, or student. You will be helping to create
lasting memories.

All you need to do is visit
https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23534&qid=6274803 and complete the
request form. The program is now open. The letters and celebration packets
will be sent out in December. Requests will be open until December 17.
Request a celebration letter and packet today!

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND EDUCATION INITIATIVES

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines the future for blind students. We present blind
students with new ideas, expose teachers and families to our positive
philosophy on blindness, and encourage blind youth to reach their full
potential. For questions about our education programs, please contact us at
education at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2418.

National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
21230 | 410-659-9314"

--
Todd Elzey, Editor/Owner
The Kettering Sentinel
https://ketteringsentinel.town.news/
todd at toddelzey.com
937-701-6234