[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2091

Sun Sep 6 20:12:13 UTC 2026

September 6, 2026

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

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

Positive Note: 2091

Dear Federation Family,

It is Labor Day weekend, which is observed as the unofficial beginning of
fall. No one believes that due to the extreme heat we experienced this
summer! College football has now begun, and this does speak of a change in
the season. The busy summer is nearly behind us, and the activities of the
fall are ahead of us.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of William "Billy" Singleton, a
centenarian, who departed this earth on September 2, 2026. Billy was a
former member of the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind
Advisory Board and contributed greatly to the camp in so many ways. We
extend our deepest sympathy to the Singleton family during this difficult
time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

AI Tip or Trick

There are so many ways that AI enhances access for blind and low-vision
individuals. Ed Bible often speaks of the famous "Red Book" from the Social
Security Administration. He states that all blind individuals who are
working should be familiar with this document. I prompted AI to provide me
with a downloadable link for the "Red Book" and to outline its major
provisions in an accessible Word document. AI reported that this document is
now available on the SSA website in HTML format and is a living document.
This means that it is updated as needed with new numbers as things change
each year. Furthermore, the PDF download contains all of the information but
has no actual numbers in it. This information is useful because the print,
braille or CD version of this document no longer provides all of the
information needed. It is much easier for me to find what I need using AI,
Claude in particular, than to search with Google.

Statewide Family Fun Day

Statewide Family Fun Day is back on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00
AM to 4:00 PM at Saluda Shoals Park. The cost is $15 per person. To
register, email  <mailto:fundraising at nfbofsc.org> fundraising at nfbofsc.org by
September 16, 2026, with a count of how many are coming in your party.
Please include a count of those who want fish instead of cookout food as
well. This brings the Federation family together again after the state
convention for a day of good food, games and fellowship with members,
families and friends from across South Carolina. Activities include the
return of the Federation favorite Braille Bingo, music, canoeing and outdoor
recreation on the water, fishing, walking trails and splash pad fun for the
kids - with plenty of room to simply relax and enjoy the company. The menu
features burgers and hot dogs, fried fish, potato salad, baked beans, pasta
salad, coleslaw, water and assorted drinks. All proceeds from the $15
admission support the National Convention Sponsorship Fund, which helps
members of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina attend the
National Convention. Payment may be made in advance through PayPal or by
sending a money order or check to the Federation Center. Convention may be
over, but the fellowship continues - come out, bring the family, enjoy the
food, play some bingo, turn up the music and let's have another great time
together. For additional information, contact Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803.

Blind Equality Achievement Month

October is Blind Equality Achievement Month (BEAM). Chapters are encouraged
to begin planning their events and sharing them with me as soon as possible.
Let's have a huge turnout for BEAM this year.

Clarendon Chapter Fundraiser: Christmas Afghan

The Clarendon Chapter of the NFB of SC is selling raffle tickets for a
beautiful handcrafted afghan made by our very own Glenda Culick. Tickets are
$5 each or three for $10. The drawing will take place at the Annual Board
Retreat on November 21, 2026. The winner will be notified by phone. Tickets
are available from any of the following:

*	Marty McKenzie - 843-939-8091 or  <mailto:marty2music at outlook.com>
marty2music at outlook.com
*	Glenda Culick - 843-598-3630 or  <mailto:glendaculick at gmail.com>
glendaculick at gmail.com
*	Trent Tedder - 843-939-8092 or  <mailto:trent.tedder at icloud.com>
trent.tedder at icloud.com

Let's support one of our smallest chapters.

Senior Camp Electronics Crate Auction

Help raise funds for Senior Camp. We are having an auction with a crate full
of electronics. We just added another item and will be adding more along the
way. You can expect items such as a smartwatch, portable antenna for TV,
handheld blower, magnetic power bank, vintage car Bluetooth speaker, 2 AM/FM
radio USB Bluetooth music player, wireless doorbell camera, Air
voice-controlled fan, neck fan, fast-charging USB and USB-C wall charger,
portable personal handheld fan, five-in-one white noise sound machine with
fifty different sounds and alarm clock, wireless car charger with FM
transmitter and Bluetooth, USB cord with multiple chargers, 2 Wi-Fi smart
plugs that work with Alexa, mini wireless earbuds with charging dock and a
Wi-Fi extender.

To place your bid, call Frank Loza at 803-617-8016 or email him at
<mailto:floza58 at bellsouth.net> floza58 at bellsouth.net. You can also call
Pathronda Anderson at 803-269-4354 or email her at
<mailto:tronda1 at outlook.com> tronda1 at outlook.com.

Aging to Fortune - Fundraising Committee

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is holding a virtual
50/50 fundraiser with a drawing on October 4, 2026. For $20, you receive one
entry for every year of your age, so a 25-year-old gets 25 entries and a
75-year-old gets 75. For an extra $10, your entries double, meaning a
40-year-old would receive 80 entries and a 65-year-old would receive 130.
One winner takes home half of the total funds raised. The other half
supports NFB of SC outreach work: expanding public awareness about
blindness, educating communities about what blind people can do, connecting
people experiencing vision loss with resources, strengthening outreach
across South Carolina and supporting programs that promote independence,
opportunity and full participation in society. The older you are, the better
your odds, so this is one time when getting older really does pay off. To
take part, purchase your virtual ticket through the donate page at
nfbofsc.org and put your name and contact information in the memo field.

Bishop Vincent B. Downing - At-Large Board Member

Community Leader | Advocate | Pastor | Entrepreneur | Husband | Father |
Servant Leader

Bishop Vincent B. Downing is a passionate community leader, advocate,
pastor, entrepreneur and servant who has dedicated his life to empowering
others, breaking barriers and demonstrating that limitations do not have to
determine a person's destiny.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Bishop Downing has called South Carolina
home for many years. Having lost his eyesight at the age of seven as the
result of a childhood accident, he understands firsthand the challenges that
individuals who are blind or visually impaired can face. Rather than
allowing blindness to define what he could accomplish, he chose to make it
part of his testimony. His life is a living example of his personal motto:
"Can't never could do nothing."

Bishop Downing is a proud graduate of the South Carolina School for the Deaf
and the Blind, Class of 1996. His personal experiences have fueled his
commitment to advocacy, accessibility, independence, opportunity and
inclusion for people who are blind and visually impaired.

His commitment to serving others extends well beyond advocacy. Bishop
Downing has served for several years on the Board of Directors of Piedmont
Community Action, along with serving on other community and nonprofit
boards. Through these opportunities, he has worked to help strengthen
communities, connect people with resources, encourage families and advocate
for individuals who may not always have a voice at the table.

Bishop Downing was recently elected to serve on the National Federation of
the Blind of South Carolina State Board and the Rocky Bottom Board of
Directors, a responsibility he embraces with humility, passion and a genuine
desire to serve. He believes that effective leadership is not about holding
a title - it is about being willing to listen, stand up, speak out, build
relationships and help create opportunities for others.

Outside of his advocacy and community service, Bishop Downing is the Senior
Pastor of Faith Center International Ministries, where he has served in
pastoral leadership for more than 14 years. His ministry focuses on faith,
discipleship, encouragement, community outreach and helping people discover
their God-given purpose. He is also known for using his testimony, humor,
practical life experiences and love for people to encourage others through
some of life's most difficult seasons.

Bishop Downing is also an entrepreneur and the founder of Sight Beyond
Sight, a business venture that reflects his belief that vision is not
limited to what a person can physically see. His entrepreneurial work has
included vending, entertainment, DJ services, event production and
community-centered business initiatives. He has also been involved in music,
acting, producing and various community and faith-based productions.

As a husband and father, Bishop Downing considers family one of his greatest
responsibilities and blessings. He is married to Natasha Downing, and
together they are raising a family that continues to inspire his commitment
to service, faith and perseverance.

Whether he is standing behind a pulpit, serving on a board, advocating for
the blind community, running a business, encouraging a young person,
producing an event or simply helping someone who needs a hand, Bishop
Downing believes that leadership begins with service.

His life philosophy is simple but powerful: You may not be able to see the
road ahead, but that does not mean you cannot move forward.

Guided by his faith and his favorite scripture, Philippians 4:13 - "I can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," Bishop Downing continues
to live a life of purpose, perseverance, advocacy and service.

Contact:

Phone: 864-529-5360

Email:  <mailto:vinnydproductions at yahoo.com> vinnydproductions at yahoo.com

Things to Remember

*	Statewide Family Fun Day count - September 16, 2026
*	Statewide Family Fun Day - September 26, 2026
*	Aging to Fortune 50/50 Drawing - October 4, 2026
*	Blind Equality Achievement Month - October 2026
*	Clarendon Christmas Afghan Drawing - November 21, 2026
*	Senior Camp Electronics Crate Auction

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/>  

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260906/a5455433/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 21173 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260906/a5455433/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.png
Type: image/png
Size: 12746 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260906/a5455433/attachment-0001.png>