<div dir="auto">Good morning this is Heather Griffin and I am seeking assistance in every way possible monetary, food, clothing, for myself and my son we had a house fire and lost everything Red Cross as given as much assistance as they are going to give we have been staying in a hotel for 2 weeks and I've been paying out of pocket for 7 of those days my funds are depleted and I desperately need assistance I can be reached at 8033573557</div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Dec 7, 2020, 9:53 AM Sunshine Stylez <<a href="mailto:sunshinestyles01@gmail.com">sunshinestyles01@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="auto">Good morning this is Heather Griffin and I am a member and I am trying to find out what if any Services you may have available to assist me myself and my son are displaced at the moment homeless you may say living in a hotel we had a house fire and lost everything if there's any assistance I would greatly appreciate it the Red Cross paid for the first eight days I've paid for the last seven out of pocket and I am unable to continue paying I need to find housing as soon as possible and if possible if there's any donation food wise clothes wise we have absolutely nothing and or assistance paying for this hotel until I found housing</div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Dec 7, 2020, 7:16 AM Jennifer Bazer via NFBofSC <<a href="mailto:nfbofsc@nfbnet.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">nfbofsc@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style="word-wrap:break-word"><div><p class="MsoNormal">December 7, 2020<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">From: Jennifer Bazer, President<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Positive Note 1791<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Greetings Fellow Federationists:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">What an awesome time we had at the annual Rocky Bottom Christmas board retreat. Six board members attended in-person for the Rocky Bottom board meeting and eight board members participated in-person for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina (NFB of SC) board meeting on Saturday, December 7. During the Rocky Bottom board meeting, we discussed having a reunion for friends of Rocky Bottom around Memorial Day weekend, we thanked Linda for her service and dedication to the camp as December 31 will be her last day, and we discussed dreams and goals of the camp. During lunch, we celebrated Linda’s birthday which is on December 19 with a cake and cupcakes and presented her with a Christmas bonus that Rocky Bottom board members and other affiliate members collected. That afternoon during the NFB of SC board meeting, we discussed beginning a new member orientation at least once per quarter, tentative plans for the leadership seminar which will be on April 10, leadership training throughout the year, statewide seminar on January 9, and our big PAC announcement from chairperson of the “doing our Fair Share Committee, Frank Coppel. The contest will run from December 5, 2020 through May 31, 2021. Each member who enrolls in PAC, will have their name in a drawing. Each member who increases their PAC pledge will be entered into a separate drawing. One name will be drawn from each category, new PAC members and those who increased their PAC for a $100 visa gift card. The board also voted to increase the NFB of SC PAC donation from $50 per month to $75 per month for our affiliate. I appreciate your generosity. Saturday, we exchanged Christmas gifts with the “white elephant” game, sang the “12 days of Christmas”, Covid-19 style, and David Houck read the Christmas story. We completed our celebration that evening with desserts and coffee.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">There were numerous folks who made this weekend fun, safe and successful. Lenora Robertson, Ellen Taylor and Glenda Culick who prepared and cooked the meals on Saturday and Sunday, Thom and Tracy Spittle who made arrangements for those who attended in a safe manner, Jonathan and Nicholas Bundy who insured everyone had what they needed during mealtime, and all members and guests who attended in person and through zoom. It is not the work of one or two or a few individuals, it is the work of many working together to make a difference in the Palmetto state. I appreciate all of you!<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">PAC Plan Challenge:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">We will be running a contest from December 5, 2020 through May 31, 2021 for our NFB of SC affiliate. We are currently 13 and would like to be in the top 10 or higher. One of our members would like to see us as an affiliate contribute $1,500 to PAC each month between chapters, divisions, individuals and our NFB of SC affiliate. If you join PAC, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $100 visa gift card. If you increase your PAC donation, your name will be entered into a different $100 visa gift card drawing. I have a list of chapters, divisions, and individuals who are on PAC at this time. On June 1, I will ask the national office for another list which I will use to have the two drawings on June 1. There are many ways to give. Below, is a little about PAC.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Thank you for your interest in the National Federation of the Blind's Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program. This program allows you to contribute to the NFB through recurring monthly donations. These can be direct withdrawals from a checking account or charges to a credit card. Please contact </span><a href="mailto:PAC@nfb.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#005aa3;background:white;text-decoration:none">pac@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"> with any questions. Thank you for your generosity.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">You can go to<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.nfb.org/pac" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nfb.org/pac</a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">to complete the online form.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">You may also call the national office at 410-659-9314 extension 2622 or email <a href="mailto:PAC@nfb.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">PAC@nfb.org</a> with questions.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are several chapters and divisions within our state who are on PAC and we are grateful for those contributions. There are individuals who are on PAC and we are appreciative of those members who give each month. As an affiliate, we are averaging $17.41 per person and less than 10% of our members are on PAC. Let’s see if we can increase those percentages to over $20 per month and have at least 20% of our members on PAC. I appreciate you considering to get on the PAC plan or increasing your donation each month!<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> We will have our next SC connects meeting Thursday, December 17 at 5:00 p.m. Please encourage your chapters, divisions, committees to attend to learn about the latest happenings in the NFB of SC!<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Please mark your calendars for a Christmas celebration at the Center on Saturday, December 12 from noon until four. We will enjoy fellowship, sounds of the season, and a gift exchange. The gift exchange is optional. Please call, text or email me if you plan to attend. If you need transportation let’s work together with chapter presidents and neighboring chapters to insure all that want to come can attend. Call me with any questions.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">We will have a Thanks for Giving box on the front porch of the center each weekday beginning November 30 for the neighboring community to fill the box with items that members in need can use. We will give thanks for these donations at our Christmas celebration on December 12.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Our statewide seminar will be held January 9 at the Center in Columbia from 10:00 until 4:00. This will be a hybrid seminar meaning you can attend in-person and over Zoom so as many individuals can participate as possible. Please make plans to attend in-person or through Zoom. Please call, text or email me with suggested agenda items. Please also call David at the Center at 803-254-3777 or myself at 803-960-997 to let us know if you will be attending in person. First come, first serve as we have limited seats to effectively promote social distancing at the Center.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Leadership Seminar:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Our next leadership seminar will be April 10, 2021 at the Federation Center. All presidents of divisions and chapters along with Federation Center board members, Rocky Bottom board members and NFB of SC board members are required to attend in-person or through zoom. Others who are interested are welcome to attend via zoom or in-person as well.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> The following meetings are scheduled on the Zoom platform this week. You are welcome to attend any of these meetings, even if you are not a member of the chapter or committee. Please contact the chapter president and ask if it is alright to attend their meeting. All Committee meetings are open to the public for listening. Contact President Bazer if you would like to be added to any NFB of SC committee.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Here is what is coming up on Zoom for the week of December 7 2020. All meetings are on the main Federation ID of 803-254-3777, unless noted.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 7, We care 6pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 7, Fund-raising, 8pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 8, Sumter Chapter Gala, 7pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 8, At large Chapter, 7pm use meeting ID 864-878-9090<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 10, Cherokee Chapter, 1pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 10, Columbia Chapter, 6:15pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 10, Lancaster Chapter, 7pm use meeting ID 864-878-9090<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 11, Anderson/Spartanburg Chapter Christmas Celebration, 6-8pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 12, CSTD training, 10AM<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 12, Christmas Celebration at the Federation Center, noon-4pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">December 13, Lee County Chapter, 7pm<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> NFB of SC Federation Center is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Topic: NFB of SC Chapter and Committee meetings<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Times are in Eastern Time (US and Canada)<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Join Zoom Meeting<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09</a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Passcode: 124578<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">One tap mobile<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">+19292056099,,8032543777# US (New York)<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Message from President, Debra Canty…<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">You are cordially invited on the Zoom Platform to attend The Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina virtual Gala. The Sumter chapter will host their 47<sup>th</sup> Annual Fundraiser Christmas Gala, Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. (EST). The keynote speaker will be Ever Lee Hairston, Member of the National Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. Member: The National Federation of the Blind of California Affiliate. All are welcome to attend their virtual Gala!!!<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Topic: Sumter Chapter of the NFB of SC 47<sup>th</sup> Annual Fundraiser Christmas Gala<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Tuesday, December 8<sup>th</sup> at 7:00 p.m. <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Times are in Eastern Time (US and Canada)<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Join Zoom Meeting<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09</a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Passcode: 124578<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">One tap mobile<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">+19292056099,,8032543777# US (New York)<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">From the Senior Division President Shelley Coppel of the National Federation of the Blind of SC!<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">There will be a Senior Division conference call, Thursday December 10 from 1-3 p.m. We will share Christmas traditions, and favorite recipes. Below is the way to access the meeting! <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Call in Number: 605-475-2875<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">access number: 4838754<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Florence Chapter Meeting Interest<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> There will be a Florence chapter interest meeting on Monday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m. at Golden Corral, 2510 David H. McLeod BLVD, Florence.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I will be there to steer this meeting along with Jameika Cooper. If you know others who would be interested, members who were in the Florence chapter before, please pass along this info. Please call or text me at 803-960-9977 if you have further questions.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> From Linda Dizzley, Lee County Chapter President<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> If you are looking for a special gift for that special loved-one, friend, co-worker, chapter members etc., help is just a call away. Below is a list of a few ideas that may interest you Make your Holiday shopping easier and safe this year by shopping from home. Many ideas may be personalized: Please place your orders by December 8, 2020<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Edible Gifts, Milk Chocolate Dark Chocolate White Chocolate, (your choice of color). Business cards. Ladies High Heel Shoes. Men dress shoes. Sneakers. Boots. Purse. Hats. Champagne Glass. Basketball Goal, footballs, golf clubs, bowling ball and pin. Chocolate covered pretzels. Chocolate roses. Personalized Gifts. T-shirts. Sweatshirts . Hoodies. Face Masks. Socks. Scarves. Coffee Mugs. Key Chains. Coasters. Mouse Pads. Caps. Hats. Face clothes. Hand Towels. Bath Towels. Photo Plates. <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> If interested, contact Linda Dizzley, Lee County Chapter President.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:LDIZZLEY@HOTMAIL.COM" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">LDIZZLEY@HOTMAIL.COM</a> Home: 803 442 84273 Cell: 803 459 4585<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> From Jamie Allison<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> The Cherokee County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina cordially invites everyone to our 2020 Virtual Christmas Celebration! The event will take place from 1:00-2:30pm on Thursday, December 10th, 2020. There will be random gift card drawings, a social time, and program that will include a Christmas Scripture recitation, holiday songs, carols, and stories. The entire program will take place virtually over the zoom platform and we invite everyone from across the affiliate and nationally to attend. We also invite those who would like to share a Christmas or holiday-themed song, story, carole, poem, or riddles with the audience. We want this portion of the program to be similar to an old time "variety show". If you would like to participate in this portion of our program, please send an email to <a href="mailto:nfbsccherokee@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">nfbsccherokee@gmail.com</a> with your name, the type of item you wish to contribute (song, carole, brief story or poem either familiar or new, riddle, etc.) and approximately how long it will take. If time permits, there will be an opportunity for audience members to spontaneously contribute as well. If you do not have access to email, please call 864-838-0338 and either speak or leave a voice message with Jamie with the same information. We look forward to a time of fellowship and celebration with all who wish to join us as we observe this blessed season! <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> From Frank Loza<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Support the Federation Center by buying a jacket with our national logo on the back of the jacket and under that it says National Federation of the Blind and under that it says, live the life you want. On the left upper part of the front it says, NFB of SC. There are two kinds of material you can get them in. One is microfiber and the other one is polyester blend. The microfiber costs $80.00 and the polyester blend cost’s $75.00. The microfiber comes in blue or black and the polyester comes in blue, black and gray. If you can call Frank Loza at 803-617-8016, with your information, such as color and size. Join your fellow Federationists and get your jacket. It will show unity when your chapter has a function.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> If you made a pledge at our state convention banquet in August, those tax -deductible contributions are due at the Center no later than December 31, 2020. If you did not make a pledge, but wish to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, please send donations to 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205. You may also pay on our website at <a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">www.nfbofsc.org</a> and look for the donations link to pay through pay Pal. Thank you to all of those individuals, chapters, and divisions who have fulfilled their pledges. I will list all donors in the first Positive Note of 2021.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Big News! The National Federation of the Blind of SC now has an online enrollment membership form to pay your 2021 state dues. You will be able to fill out the form online to provide the state office with updated personal and contact information. You will also be able to pay your $10 state dues via secure Pay Pal. You will still need to pay your chapter/division dues on the local level. After submitting the membership form, you will be provided with a link to pay your $10 state dues through Pay Pal. Your membership will not be confirmed until payment has been received. After paying your $10 state dues via Pay Pal, we will receive a message stating you have paid your state dues to confirm your membership. Then you will be sent a message with a copy of your receipt for confirmation later in the day. Please retain this confirmation for your records and proof of payment. Also, Pay Pal charges the NFB of SC a percentage for each transaction. We would greatly appreciate you adding an extra $0.30 for every $10 to your donation to offset this charge. So, $10.30, $20.60 and so on.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> If you need assistance completing the online form, you are welcome to call Steve and Shannon Cook to help at (803) 254-0222. Leave a message with your name and contact number if we are unavailable to answer the phone.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Thank you to those who have already paid your state dues! We hope to see close to 100% of dues paid by December 31. Our membership committee along with the help of our district reps will follow-up as we get closer to the end of the year to assist those in completing their membership form so that we can have all completed documentation to the national office in a timely manner. This has normally been due at the end of January to pay your state dues; however, that does not give me time to submit all necessary data to the national office by January 31. We want to be prompt in our membership dues and information to President Riccobono. <a href="https://forms" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">https://forms</a>. gle/MGYktJPG3SatVBFWA<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Nationally:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Open House<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Open House Gathering: Share with Prospective Members:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. ET – The National Federation of the Blind is hosting an open house gathering for people who are not yet members of the Federation to learn about becoming members. Share with prospective members this opportunity to learn more from leaders about the Federation and why membership is crucial. Sign up by emailing <a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">membership@nfb.org</a> or calling 410-659-9314, extension 2509.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Final Thought: “Good deeds should be done with intension, not for attention.” Anonymous<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">NFB Pledge - I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">NFB One Minute Message - “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 dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.” <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">If this message was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it directly in your inbox, as well as, receive messages regarding the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, please email Steve Cook at <a href="mailto:cookcafe@sc.rr.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">cookcafe@sc.rr.com</a>.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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