[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1968

Mon Apr 29 00:46:37 UTC 2024

April 28, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1968

843-939-8091   <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org> president at nfbofsc.org 

Dear Federation Family,

Midlands Gives is just ten days away on May 7, 2024. We were informed this
week that the Cheerful Giver has offered the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina a $5,000 match again this year! We are very thankful
and excited as the Cheerful Giver does not typically offer matches in
successive years but rotates among charities. This means that we must all
work hard to ensure that we raise at least $5,000 in funds for Midlands
Gives. Chapters, please consider what you can do as well as individuals. I
know that many give at the State Convention. It is fine if that fundraiser
is less so that we increase Midlands Gives.

Rocky Bottom hopes to win the Power Hour from twelve to one PM on May 7,
2024 by achieving the most unique donations.  Unique donations are
determined by name, email address and credit card number, and a minimum ten
dollar donation is required. To donate, visit
<http://www.midlandsgives.org/nfbofsc> www.midlandsgives.org/nfbofsc or
<http://www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom>
www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom. You can also call the Federation Center
on May 7, 2024 for assistance giving online. You may also give $10 through
your local chapter and this can be applied to the Power Hour. Please reach
out to Valerie Warrington at treasurer at nfbofsc.org or to Marty McKenzie for
additional information.

Palmetto Connects will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. on
the NFB of SC Zoom platform. Please spread the word and encourage others to
attend as we will spend time discussing Midlands Gives and other relevant
topics. The phone number is 929-205-6099 and the meeting ID is 803 254 3777
or you can use the meeting ID in your Zoom app on your phone or computer.
The password is 124578.

The Presidential Release will take place on May 1, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Join
President Riccobono for news from the Federation, announcements and other
exciting information as we approach National Convention. The phone number is
929-205-6099 and the Zoom ID is 916 7812 4399. You can also enter the Zoom
ID into your Zoom app on your computer or phone.

The National Office Independence Market is looking for volunteers to take
shifts at the National Convention to ensure that the Independence Market
runs smoothly. It is important that South Carolina be represented well as
one of the larger affiliates. Please reach out to me if you are able to take
a shift. Also, talking signs and marshals are also needed as well. Consider
if you are able to step up to the plate for this one.

>From Tracy Spittle

Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind is pleased to
announce the annual summer camp for legally blind children. There will be
one camp for children ages 6-13. This year's camp will run June 23-29, 2024.
There will be no charge to attend and there will be a maximum of 15 campers.
Supervised recreational activities may include hiking, arts and crafts,
mountain climbing, water slides, games, swimming, cookouts, miniature golf,
field trips, computer, braille activities and more, depending on
availability. Senior and junior counselors and administrative personnel will
be primarily legally blind individuals. This is a unique and important
feature of the Rocky Bottom program. Family members are requested to
accompany their child to Rocky Bottom on Sunday and also to return to camp
on Friday to have lunch with us and watch your child in a camp-wide talent
show. After the show, campers are free to leave with parents.   Campers will
be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Limited transportation will
be provided for those who cannot provide their own transportation.
Designated pickup points will be assigned at a later date. To apply, please
complete the application prior to May 20, 2024. Contact Tracy Spittle at
(803-447-7609 for additional information.

>From the Fundraising Committee, Co-chaired by Debra Canty and Andrew Adams

Dear Affiliate Members,

We are thrilled to announce that we have secured the beautiful sandy shores
of Westin Lakes for our upcoming Family Fun Day on June 1, 2024! This is the
perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Bring your beach
chairs, let loose your adventurous side for kayaking, paddle boating,
canoeing, and fishing gear and get ready to swim and soak up the sun in good
company.

As we prepare to enjoy a day filled with fun, fellowship and delicious food,
we kindly ask for your support. We are reaching out to local grocery stores
and businesses to request donations in the form of gift cards, which will be
used to purchase food items for our event. Your participation in sending out
these donation letters would be greatly appreciated and will contribute
greatly to making this day a success.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We look forward to
creating unforgettable memories together at Westin Lakes!

Registration for the National Convention is now open.  The event will take
place July 3-8, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.  The registration cost is $25 and
banquet tickets are $75. You can go to
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>
https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention to locate additional
information about the National Convention as it becomes available. Please
note that some nights in the convention hotel are now full and reservations
are being routed to the overflow hotel. The National Office is working on
this matter.

The Embassy Suites is now accepting reservations for the National Federation
of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention being held on August 15-18,
2024. Rooms can be booked at $112 plus tax and any applicable fees for
singles, doubles, triples and quads. You may call the Embassy Suites at
803-252-8700. Reference the NFB of SC State Convention to obtain the special
rate. Members are not being charged the first night's room; instead, a hold
is placed on your card until check-in. The cut-off for room reservations is
July 25, 2024.

Registration for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
State Convention is now live!  The cost is $85 for adults, $55 for students
and $25 for children under eighteen. These prices all adjust upward after
July 25, 2024. Please visit  <https://nfbofsc.org/node/178>
https://nfbofsc.org/node/178 to register online. If you need assistance to
register online, , please contact me and someone will assist you.

>From Lori Anne Coley, President, Sports and Recreation Division

Our Sports and Rec fundraiser is extended to August, coinciding with the
state convention. All purchased tickets remain valid. Purchase $20 tickets
for a chance to win big, including a $750 and a $250 giveaway. Contributions
support our Sports Camp Week for the Blind at Rocky Bottom Retreat and
Conference Center of the Blind in Upstate South Carolina. Led by the NFBSC
Sports and Rec Division, our mission is inclusive sports. Purchase tickets
via PayPal at  <https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc>
https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc or Zelle at srnfbsc21 at yahoo.com. Goal:
sell 100+ tickets by August 17, 2024, with the drawing at the state
convention. Spread the word! For more information, contact Lori Anne Coley
at 803-316-9838.

NFB of SC Scholarship Announcement 2024

Let's do more in 24! We are springing into the 2024 NFB of SC Scholarship
Program season. With the state convention being August 15 - 18, 2024, the
deadline for scholarship applications is 11:59 p.m. June 20, 2024. The
committee will meet about one month before the state convention to select
the top three applicants and winners will be notified following the meeting.
The updated scholarship application is now available at
<https://nfbofsc.org/scholarship-program>
https://nfbofsc.org/scholarship-program.  Please also remember that the
scholarship program operates exclusively on donations. If you, your chapter,
your division, your civic organization, church etc., would like to
contribute a scholarship or donate to the Metro Fund, please contact me,
Shannon Cook at  <mailto:scholarships at nfbofsc.org> scholarships at nfbofsc.org
or 803-605-4250. Please help us get the word out about the program. If you
or someone you know is in post-secondary education full time, please
encourage them to apply for a scholarship! Thank you.

Things to Remember

*	Presidential Release on May 7, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
*	Midlands Gives on May 7, 2024
*	Rocky Bottom Childrens' Camp application due by May 20, 2024
*	National Convention room reservations due by May 31, 2024
*	Family Fun Day on June 1, 2024
*	NFB of SC Scholarship applications are due by June 20, 2024 at 11:59
p.m.
*	National Convention dates are July 3-8, 2024 at the Rosen Center
Hotel in Orlando, Florida
*	NFB of SC State Convention Registration and Room Reservations are
due by July 25, 2024.

Marty

Marty R. McKenzie, President

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

119 S. Kilbourne Road

Columbia, SC 29205

Phone: 803-254-3777

Mobile: 843-939-8091

Website: www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org/>  

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