[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1528

[David Houck]

November 23, 2015

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1528

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              On November 8, 2004, the Upper Dorchester Chapter of the NFB
of SC was established in the St. George, Reevesville and Harleyville area.
I, along with Mr. and Mrs. Capps were very privileged and proud to be a part
of this organizing meeting.  Because of my involvement with this chapter
eleven years ago, I was excited when the Upper Dorchester Chapter's
excellent President, Loretta Green, invited Shelley and me to their
Thanksgiving luncheon last Tuesday, November 18.  The luncheon was well
attended, with approximately 25 people present.  It was good to see our NFB
of SC Second Vice President and Sumter Chapter President, Debra Canty, who
was also invited to the luncheon.  There was an abundance of delicious food
and lively fellowship throughout the meal.  I spoke to the group briefly on
some of the activities being planned for 2016 and Members were reminded to
continue to sell their Orlando National Convention bus tickets.  I also
spoke on why it is so important to be a member of the National Federation of
the Blind.  

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very
blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.  Let's take a few minutes Thursday to
reflect and give thanks for our families, our country, and to our
organization, the National Federation of the Blind, who is working very hard
to improve the quality of life of blind people.  

 The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every day, we raise the
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our 

dreams.  You can live the life you want:  blindness is not what holds you
back.  Joining me for comments in this Positive Note is the President
Emeritus of the NFB of SC.  Here is Dr. Capps.  

              Happy Thanksgiving to all of you across the state.  It is a
privilege to join our state President Frank Coppel in getting out this
week's Positive Note early so that you can have this Thanksgiving message.
We have so many things for which to be thankful.  About 25 years ago a young
couple joined the Columbia Chapter which included Rev. Ken Jumper and his
wife Connie who was blind.  Rev. Jumper started a small church which grew
rapidly under Rev. Jumper's leadership.  Today Rev. Jumper is Pastor of The
Harvest Church with thousands of members here in the Columbia area.  Rev.
Jumper was always attentive to his blind wife and they had two daughters and
now grandchildren.  Unfortunately Connie passed away about three years ago
after a long illness.  For some 20 years, Rev. Jumper has provided
leadership by his church sponsoring Thanksgiving dinner for the Columbia
chapter.  Our most recent dinner was one of the largest with about 100
members in attendance.  Some 35 church members served the Thanksgiving
dinner which included turkey and dressing, ham, sweet potatoes, string
beans, dinner rolls, and a variety of deserts which included apple pie
enjoyed by myself.  Rev. Jumper gave an outstanding message on God's love.
Church leader Levon Stack provided the music and he sings "His Eye is on the
Sparrow" better than anyone I've ever heard.  In talking to Rev. Jumper at
the speaker's table he shared with me that the Church of the Harvest also
provides food and other help to different groups.  The blind of the Columbia
area are the beneficiaries of an outstanding Thanksgiving program headed by
a wonderful gentleman who started off serving a very small Christian group
that has grown into a wonderful church group which provides tremendous help
to the community.  Rev. Jumper and The Harvest have our sincere gratitude at
this time of Thanksgiving.

              Betty and I have been members of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church
in Columbia since 1953 for 62 years.  The church has a wonderful shut-in
program.  Last week a church member I had never met, Mrs. Robin Garrett,
paid Betty and me a visit.  She stated she grew up in the Blue Ridge
Mountains which gave me the opportunity to share with her the Rocky Bottom
story.  Three or four days later I received the following note from Mrs.
Garrett:  "Dear Mr. & Mrs. Capps:  I really enjoyed meeting both of you and
Craig too.  Thank you for sharing the wonderful story of that special claim
for which you authorized payment which ultimately led to the discovery of
Rocky Bottom, South Carolina.  It sounds like a truly lively place.  I pray
that God bless you every day in Christian love. - Robin Garrett"  

              On this Thanksgiving let's remember there are still many
wonderful people and churches like Rev. Jumper and The Harvest Church and
Mrs. Garrett.

              

Final Thought:  Remember God in your Thanksgiving - "O give thanks unto the
Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever."  Psalm 126

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