<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>COLUMBIA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>DECEMBER 12, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>MERRY CHRISTMAS!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>DECEMBER 11 CHRISTMAS CHAPTER MEETING<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> There was a huge crowd present at the Christmas Chapter meeting as Haskell Heights First Baptist Church did a superb job of providing a wonderful Christmas dinner and devotional service. We were glad to vote in a new voting member, Benjamin Bradley who came with Barry Chavis. Also present at our meeting was NFB of SC President Parnell Diggs who played his guitar and sang Christmas Carols and of course, “Blind Man’s Blues.” With him was Gary Wunder, President of the NFB of Missouri and Editor of the Braille Monitor who also addressed the large gathering. Dr. Capps greeted the audience and gave us more background on Gary Wunder. David Houck, Center Director, gave his report encouraging members to sell their $1 NFB charter bus fund tickets to have a chance to win $300 for the buyer and seller each or $600 if you bought your own ticket and it was the winning ticket and if the Columbia Chapter sells the most tickets, $300 will go toward the chapter treasury at the drawing to be held at the January 31 Statewide Seminar. The Conference Room is completed and there are still other things left to do but we are able to use the room again. Don’t forget to turn in your state and chapter dues of $15 no later than January 31 or your membership will not be in good standing. Isaiah Nelson recognized several volunteers for their service throughout 2014 with gift cards and a special certificate for Gloria Washington for her many years of outstanding service. The winner of the 50-50 drawing was Tiffany Mitchell who won $38 and five more drawings for Piggly Wiggly gift cards went to Gail Nelson, Darrell Benenhaley, Debbie Manning, Harriett Davis, and Parnell Diggs. The meeting was topped off as Dorothy Barksdale recited the one minute message to President Parnell Diggs perfectly. For those of you who don’t know it, memorize it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>One minute message:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>“The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic which 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.“<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>See you in 2015!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Steve Sheck, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Columbia Chapter, NFB of SC<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>