[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2040

[president at nfbofsc.org]

September 13, 2025

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

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

Positive Note 2040

 

Dear Federation Family,

 

Our nation grieves over the violence we saw in three different events which
made news during the last week or so. We are more alike than different and
yet, some cannot grasp that concept. We all have different beliefs, values
and principles that guide us through our daily lives. It is important that
we respect each other, learn from our differences, embrace our common ground
and move forward together. Let us remember the families of all who lost
loved ones during these tragedies that took place. There is no place for
violence in America over our differences!

 

I was notified on Sunday, September 6, 2025 that Project INSPIRE II: Access
and Equity in STEM Learning for Individuals Who Read Braille grant has been
defunded effective September 30, 2025. Dr. Tina Herzberg, a Federationist,
is the principal investigator on this grant. It is the third braille grant
she has obtained in her 18 year tenure at the University of South Carolina
Upstate. Federationists such as First Vice President Lenora Robertson and
others learned to read braille under the first grant. The National Office
sent out a Legislative Alert on Friday, September 12, 2025 calling on the
United States Department of Education to reinstate funding for blind
students. There are 25 federal grants which are defunded at the end of this
month. Three of them are the three braille training grants which the
National Federation of the Blind advocated for almost 30 years ago. There
are four deaf-blind technical assistance grants which were also defunded.
Thanks to all who have advocated for the reinstatement of funding for the
braille grants! Hopefully, the United States Department of Education will
learn that they made a huge mistake by messing with programs that benefit
the blind of this nation!

 

Blind Equality Achievement Month

October is recognized as Blind Equality Achievement Month, a time to remind
others that blind people can live the lives we want.  Is your chapter or
division planning activities? Please share your events with me so that I can
aggregate this information for our affiliate and the national office

 

Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in a committee during the next
Federation calendar year! I hope to have the committee assignments out by
next Saturday.

 

The Columbia Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina is hosting a Fish Fry Fundraiser on Saturday, September 27, 2025,
from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC. Plates cost $15
and include two pieces of whiting, hush puppies, coleslaw, two sides, and a
drink. A fish sandwich is $10, and chicken is available upon request.
Proceeds will support member activities, travel to conventions, and the
organization's mission of empowerment and advocacy. For pre-orders or
questions, contact Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803, Tiffiny Mitchell at
803-603-2098, or email Columbiachapter at nfbofsc.org
<mailto:Columbiachapter at nfbofsc.org> .

 

>From Marty R. McKenzie, President of the Clarendon Chapter

The Clarendon Chapter of the NFB of SC is selling tickets on a beautiful
braille afghan made and donated by Glenda Culick. It will cover a queen
sized bed and is done in hunter green and white. Tickets are $5 each or
three for $10. Contact Marty McKenzie or any member of the Clarendon
Chapter. The drawing will take place at the Annual Board Retreat on
Saturday, November 22, 2025.

 

>From Lenora Robertson

The Rock Hill Chapter is selling tickets on a beautiful hand-made quilt
quilted by Ms. Pearline Barber. Tickets are one for $5 or three for $10.
Contact Lenora Robertson at 803-984-7855 or via e-mail at
lrobertson at comporium.net <mailto:lrobertson at comporium.net> , or any of the
Rock Hill Chapter members to get your tickets. The drawing will take place
on Monday, October 27, 2025 at the chapter meeting.

 

The next Palmetto Connects is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:00
p.m. on the NFB of SC Zoom platform. Your host for this event is a surprise!
The phone number is 929-205-6099 and the meeting ID is 803 254 3777#. If you
are using the Zoom app on your computer, phone or tablet, activate the Join
button and enter the above meeting ID without the # sign. The passcode is
124578 for use with these devices. Continue to encourage members to
participate in this monthly meeting so that we can improve our attendance.

 

Things to Remember

*	Columbia Chapter Fundraiser on September 27, 2025
*	Palmetto Connects on October 7, 2025
*	Rock Hill Chapter drawing on October 27, 2025
*	Clarendon Chapter drawing on November 22, 2025
*	Banquet pledges due by December 31, 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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