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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>November 23, 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1528<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On November 8, 2004, the Upper Dorchester Chapter of the NFB of SC was established in the St. George, Reevesville and Harleyville area. I, along with Mr. and Mrs. Capps were very privileged and proud to be a part of this organizing meeting. Because of my involvement with this chapter eleven years ago, I was excited when the Upper Dorchester Chapter’s excellent President, Loretta Green, invited Shelley and me to their Thanksgiving luncheon last Tuesday, November 18. The luncheon was well attended, with approximately 25 people present. It was good to see our NFB of SC Second Vice President and Sumter Chapter President, Debra Canty, who was also invited to the luncheon. There was an abundance of delicious food and lively fellowship throughout the meal. I spoke to the group briefly on some of the activities being planned for 2016 and Members were reminded to continue to sell their Orlando National Convention bus tickets. I also spoke on why it is so important to be a member of the National Federation of the Blind. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Let’s take a few minutes Thursday to reflect and give thanks for our families, our country, and to our organization, the National Federation of the Blind, who is working very hard to improve the quality of life of blind people. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>dreams. You can live the life you want: blindness is not what holds you back. Joining me for comments in this Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC. Here is Dr. Capps. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Happy Thanksgiving to all of you across the state. It is a privilege to join our state President Frank Coppel in getting out this week’s Positive Note early so that you can have this Thanksgiving message. We have so many things for which to be thankful. About 25 years ago a young couple joined the Columbia Chapter which included Rev. Ken Jumper and his wife Connie who was blind. Rev. Jumper started a small church which grew rapidly under Rev. Jumper’s leadership. Today Rev. Jumper is Pastor of The Harvest Church with thousands of members here in the Columbia area. Rev. Jumper was always attentive to his blind wife and they had two daughters and now grandchildren. Unfortunately Connie passed away about three years ago after a long illness. For some 20 years, Rev. Jumper has provided leadership by his church sponsoring Thanksgiving dinner for the Columbia chapter. Our most recent dinner was one of the largest with about 100 members in attendance. Some 35 church members served the Thanksgiving dinner which included turkey and dressing, ham, sweet potatoes, string beans, dinner rolls, and a variety of deserts which included apple pie enjoyed by myself. Rev. Jumper gave an outstanding message on God’s love. Church leader Levon Stack provided the music and he sings “His Eye is on the Sparrow” better than anyone I’ve ever heard. In talking to Rev. Jumper at the speaker’s table he shared with me that the Church of the Harvest also provides food and other help to different groups. The blind of the Columbia area are the beneficiaries of an outstanding Thanksgiving program headed by a wonderful gentleman who started off serving a very small Christian group that has grown into a wonderful church group which provides tremendous help to the community. Rev. Jumper and The Harvest have our sincere gratitude at this time of Thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Betty and I have been members of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church in Columbia since 1953 for 62 years. The church has a wonderful shut-in program. Last week a church member I had never met, Mrs. Robin Garrett, paid Betty and me a visit. She stated she grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains which gave me the opportunity to share with her the Rocky Bottom story. Three or four days later I received the following note from Mrs. Garrett: “Dear Mr. & Mrs. Capps: I really enjoyed meeting both of you and Craig too. Thank you for sharing the wonderful story of that special claim for which you authorized payment which ultimately led to the discovery of Rocky Bottom, South Carolina. It sounds like a truly lively place. I pray that God bless you every day in Christian love. – Robin Garrett” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On this Thanksgiving let’s remember there are still many wonderful people and churches like Rev. Jumper and The Harvest Church and Mrs. Garrett.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Remember God in your Thanksgiving – “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” Psalm 126<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>