[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2002

[president at nfbofsc.org]

December 22, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 2002

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

 

Dear Federation Family,

 

It is Christmas week for those who celebrate it and I completed my last
Christmas party at church earlier this evening. Including work, church and
National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, I have attended six
Christmas parties! It is slightly overwhelming. The week will be quiet
within the NFB of SC as committees and divisions have cancelled their
meetings. Please enjoy this special time with family, friends, and those who
make you happy. From my home to yours, I wish you all a very merry
Christmas!

 

>From Jamie Allison, President of the Cherokee Chapter:

Our chapter had a low-key Christmas get-together on December 7. We had it
that early in the month due to the fact that we took a group from our
chapter to Anderson's banquet on the 13th and did not want to have ours too
close in proximity to theirs. We also chose to use a restaurant for it since
the senior center was booked that day. It was well-attended and everyone had
a wonderful time. The chapter also had a small group in the Christmas parade
here in Gaffney on December 6th as well. Due to sickness and the presence of
the cold weather, our group was much smaller than it had been, but the
chapter was represented and had a beautiful entry.

 

>From NFB of SC Secretary, Shannon Cook:

Thanks to Jonathan Bundy for driving us, our small group of Columbia
Chapter members attended the Anderson Chapter Christmas Party on December 13
at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn. Andrew Adams, David Bundy, Shannon Cook
and Steve Cook made their way to the Upstate to join Anderson, Cherokee, and
other chapters who were also in attendance. About 80 people congregated to
celebrate. A delicious meal was served. Door prizes were given out
throughout the meeting. We were graced with beautiful carols sung by chapter
and community members. Demetrius and Kimberly Williford were a great team
that kept the program on track. Kim shared the NFB Pledge and the One-Minute
Message. Malaya Reece, chapter secretary, read scripture from the book of
Luke that told the story of Jesus's birth. Shannon Cook, Secretary of the
NFB of SC gave the keynote address on the history of the Federation and the
uncrushable spirit of blind people to lead our lives as we decide. Loretta
Watts motivated the crowd with a rousing short message of inspiration
reminding us that we don't have to be happy all of the time to have joy in
our hearts. She said when we have joy in our hearts, we can't help but to
share our joy with the world. Demetrius ended the meeting by telling his
personal story of hope, friendship, and faith that related to his change of
jobs over the past few years. There was a great spirit of love and support
among those who were there. It was a chapter Christmas party that felt more
like a close family gathering. Thanks to everyone for giving us such a great
memory.

 

>From Sarah Massengale, District Six Representative:

On December twenty-first I attended the Clarendon County Chapter Christmas
party. As many of you may know, Clarendon is my home chapter, though I've
been away for some time attending meetings via Zoom while living and working
in Columbia. The annual Christmas party was, in many ways, a homecoming for
me. Our small but mighty chapter had twenty party attendees, including
members, visitors, and even seven young children. We gathered at Elizabeth
Baptist Church in Manning, and the Reverend Terry Johnson, who leads the
congregation, offered a moving devotion about God's gift that brought
immense joy and excitement to everyone. We enjoyed fantastic food and
fellowship, and I had a wonderful time leading carol singing alongside
President Marty McKenzie. It was lovely to share this winter afternoon with
my Federation family.

 

>From David Houck, Executive Director of the Federation Center

The Federation Center of the Blind will be closed Tuesday through Thursday,
December 24-26 for Christmas. We will be in on Monday and Friday. We will
also be closed on Wednesday, January 1 for New Year's Day.

 

Invest in dignity: Every dollar you give doubles

The NFB matching gift challenge to advance the lives of blind people

Dignity is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. The
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is committed to advancing the lives
of blind people, but they need your help. When you give, you help build
understanding, respect, and opportunities for all blind people to live the
lives they want.

 

This is why we at HumanWare are happy to participate again in the NFB
matching campaign, where every dollar given doubles between October 1 and
the end of 2024.

Three ways to give and double your dollars:

.Give online: nfb.org/donate

.Mail a check to: National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street,
Baltimore, MD 21230

.Contribute by phone: Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430, to donate using a
credit card.

Stay tuned: More matching campaign activities and updates

>From Thom Spittle, Chairman of RBRCCB

October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 is the Friends of Rocky Bottom
Campaign. This is the time when we raise money for the general fund to get
us through the winter. We have various levels of giving, $50, $100, $250,
$500, and $1000+. This is not only for NFB members, you can reach out to
local businesses and individuals that would like to help out during this
yearly act of giving. A thank you gift will accompany each giving level.
Please donate and promote this fundraiser!

 

>From the Senior Division

The NFB of SC Senior division is currently selling tickets for a deluxe
kitchen gift basket. The drawing for this great prize will be held at the
Statewide Seminar on January 4, 2025. The gift basket is worth approximately
$425. A few of the items in the basket include a Talking food scale, a
Talking meat thermometer with WIFI, an Insta-pot with Wi-Fi and many other
practical kitchen aids. Tickets will be one for $5 or three for $10. If you
would like to purchase tickets, you can contact me, Shelley Coppel, at
803-796-8662 or 303-819-9795. My email address is
frankandshelley51 at gmail.com <mailto:frankandshelley51 at gmail.com> . Monies
raised from this fundraiser will help to support our efforts to resume
Senior camp.

 

The Statewide Seminar will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025 beginning
at 10:00 a.m. and concluding no later than 4:00 p.m. There will also be a
Rocky Bottom auction throughout the day, so gather items for this
fundraiser. There is already a men's and women's basket donated by Harold
and Olivia Anderson that will be auctioned off.

 

>From Andrew Adams, District 2 Representative

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina invites you to its
annual Sweetheart Ball on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
at the Kathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center. Tickets are $30 per
person or $240 per table. Tickets can be purchased by: 1) Sending a check or
money order to: Federation Center, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205;
2) Using NFB of SC PayPal and including "Sweetheart Ball" in the memo field.
This is a wonderful opportunity to fellowship and enjoy a special evening.
Don't miss out!

 

>From Belinda Banks, President of the Blind Merchants Division

The Blind Merchants Division of the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina is back with our 2025 Sweethearts Sale! We are selling
boutonnieres and corsages for the Sweethearts Ball located  at the Cathy
Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center. Boutonnieres are $15 and Corsages are
$20. Purchase both for a special price of $30. This is a pre-sale event, so
please make your purchase before February 1, 2025. For more information or
to place an order, please contact Belinda Banks, President of the Blind
Merchants Division. We will also be taking money at our Statewide Seminar on
January 4, 2025.

 

It is time for chapters and divisions to send in your dues to the state
office for 2025. Please provide a list of names with the check. If you have
new members that joined this year, please send in their contact information
as well as other information we need for our records and for the Membership
Portal. For assistance with this, contact Thom Spittle, Membership and
Mentoring Chair, at (803-331-3344 or via e-mail at membership at nfbofsc.or
<mailto:membership at nfbofsc.or> . Thank you for your prompt attention to this
matter.

 

>From Frank Loza, District 3 Representative:

Federation family, the cold weather is here, and it's time to get your NFB
of SC jackets! There are two styles: a Microfiber that comes in black or
Blue in sizes small to 4x and  a Polyester Blend that comes in black, blue
and gray in sizes small to 5x. On the back of the jacket is our national
logo with the text National Federation of the Blind and "Live the Life You
Want." On the left front side are the words NFB of SC. If another state
would like one of these jackets, they can be created. The logo and lettering
are embroidered, so they can be felt. The Microfiber is $80 and the
Polyester blend is $70. If you have any questions, call Frank Loza at
803-617-8016. You can pay by check, money order, PayPal or Zelle. If you pay
by PayPal or Zelle, you will make the payment to my email, which is
floza58 at bellsouth.net <mailto:floza58 at bellsouth.net> .

 

>From Steve Cook

We have exciting news!  The NFB of SC now has a dedicated announce-only
list.  This list is for people who want only the NFB of SC news and
announcements without chatter. It will include our weekly Positive Notes and
The Palmetto Blind publications throughout the year. To subscribe, send a
message to: nfbofsc-newsletters-subscribe at nfbnet.org
<mailto:nfbofsc-newsletters-subscribe at nfbnet.org> . Please share with
everyone!

 

 

Things to remember

*	Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser concluding by December 31, 2024
*	State dues submitted by December 31, 2024
*	Banquet pledges due by December 31, 2024
*	Invest in dignity: Every dollar you give doubles - December 31, 2024
*	Senior Division Kitchen Basket Fundraiser - January 4, 2025
*	Statewide Seminar on January 4, 2025
*	Sweethearts' Ball on February 14, 2025

 

 

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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