<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=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:962268602;
mso-list-template-ids:2074538796;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For the past week or so, many of you have inquired how we in the NFB of SC can support our Federation family in Texas who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey. My response to those inquiries has been we were asked to waiting until the Texas affiliate President Norma Crosby, and the NFB national office could assess the situation and develop a plan that would most effectively support those individuals impacted by this devastating storm. Below, is an email written by President Riccobono and Norma Crosby which describes the Hurricane Harvey Project. Please read it and give me your suggestions and recommendations no later than Thursday, September 14, as to how we can best serve our Federation members in Texas. Throughout the years, the NFB of SC has always been supportive and generous when requested to do so, and I feel certain we will handle this opportunity with equal support and generosity. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Frank coppel <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Federation Members:<br> <br>During the past week, many members of the National Federation of the Blind have reached out with offers of support for blind individuals impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We have been asking that you hold those offers of support until we could coordinate with our Texas affiliate, determine what needs exist, and develop a plan that most effectively marshals resources to meet the needs of blind people in impacted communities. We are now prepared to mobilize the National Federation of the Blind’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Project. Below are the things you need to know and ways that you can best help. <o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Harvey Relief Project will be managed by Norma Crosby, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas. Norma will be assisted by our national staff as needed. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>How you can help: <o:p></o:p></li><ul type=circle><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'>Donate to our Harvey Relief Fund which we commit to only using for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. We will accept: <o:p></o:p></li><ul type=square><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1'>Gift cards to major retailers, because they are easier to share than supplies. We encourage gift cards from Target, Walmart, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Amazon, and Bed Bath and Beyond. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1'>Transportation credits/gift cards for Uber and Lyft to provide transportation assistance. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1'>Financial contributions either <a href="http://www.nfbtx.org/donate.php">online</a> (be sure to write “Harvey Relief Fund” in the note field) or write a check to the National Federation of the Blind of Texas with “Harvey Relief Fund” in the memo line. <o:p></o:p></li></ul><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'>Adopt a family: If you would like us to match your affiliate/chapter with a specific family that you can help, please reach out to Norma Crosby. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'>Help us find families that include blind individuals by sharing the following information via email or on social media: <o:p></o:p></li></ul></ul><p class=MsoNormal>§ The National Federation of the Blind wants to help! If you, or a blind person you know, has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, please reach out to the National Federation of the Blind for support from our Hurricane Harvey Relief Project. Call (281) 968-7733, email <a href="mailto:ncrosby@nfbtx.org">ncrosby@nfbtx.org</a>, or send us a message on our Facebook page.<br><br>§ Here is a sample tweet you can cut and paste into Twitter: <br>If a blind person you know has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, email the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Project <a href="mailto:ncrosby@nfbtx.org">ncrosby@nfbtx.org</a> or DM @NFB_Voice. <br><br> <br>Send all donations to the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to National Federation of the Blind of Texas, 1600 E. Highway 6, Ste. 215, Alvin, TX 77511-2595.<br>We appreciate the tremendous concern and offers of support being offered by members and friends of the National Federation of the Blind. We thank you for being patient as we determine where the needs exist and work to match resources with the people that need help. Together with love, hope, and determination, we will rebuild and transform our dreams into reality.<br> <br>Thank You,<br> <br>Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>National Federation of the Blind<br> <br>Norma Crosby, President<br><br>National Federation of the Blind of Texas<o:p></o:p></p></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
<table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;">
<tr>
<td style="width: 55px; padding-top: 13px;"><a href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=icon" target="_blank"><img src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif" alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 470px; padding-top: 12px; color: #41424e; font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Virus-free. <a href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=link" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1" height="1"> </a></div></body></html>