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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 25, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">From: Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Positive Note 1950<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">843-939-8091 marty2music@outlook.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">It is Christmas day and this is the last Positive Note of 2023. It is a time of celebration and joy, a time to enjoy the presence of loved ones and the spirit of the season.
Let’s wrap each other with the hope, love and determination it takes to live the lives we want as blind people. From my house to yours, Merry Christmas and happy holidays!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">From Melinda Jones (I couldn’t have said it better!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">We are thrilled to share the joyous news of Andrew D Adams' graduation on Saturday, December 16, 2023, where he proudly received his Bachelor’s in Social Work with honors, cum
laude, from Limestone University. As the District 2 representative on the NFB of SC Board of Directors and second vice president of the Columbia Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, Andrew's dedication and hard work have truly
paid off. His commitment to academic excellence, coupled with his invaluable contributions to the community, exemplify his spirit of leadership and service. Join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Andrew on this momentous occasion!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">From Sonia Timmons, SCPOBC Leader<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Did you know that many organizations match their employee donations to approved non-profit organizations? This is an effective way to increase the funds coming to our NFB of
SC state affiliate. Donation matching is a corporate giving initiative in which an employer matches their employee's contribution to a specific cause, increasing the gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">You should ask your employer if they have a donation matching program and learn about how it works. Some companies will allow you to donate to non-profit organizations like the
NFB of SC through payroll deductions. This is an easy way to contribute to our cause on a recurring basis. If you are not employed with a company that has a donation matching program, please ask your family and friends that support the NFB of SC to inquire
about their employer's donation matching program. Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind is also a 501C3 organization and is also eligible for these kinds of programs. Let’s explore what opportunities may exist here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Plans are well underway for the Washington Seminar as several Federationists will depart Columbia on Sunday, January 29, 2024 and return on Thursday, February 2, 2024. You will
hear additional information about our state and national legislative agenda at the Statewide Seminar on January 6, 2024.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Friends of Rocky Bottom fundraising campaign is now underway and will conclude on December 31, 2023. There are a variety of prizes available for those who contribute in certain
amounts. This will assist Rocky Bottom with the winter months when income is low and rentals are non-existent. Individually and as chapters or divisions, please consider what you can give. For more information about this fundraiser, contact Thom Spittle at
803-331-3344 or via e-mail at </span><a href="mailto:nfbsc.lab.4@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">nfbsc.lab.4@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> for additional information.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">From Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The SC Association of Guide Dog Users (SCAGDU) is having a Honey Baked Ham fundraiser that promises to be a delectable and heartwarming experience for all participants. The savory
allure of Honey Baked Ham's signature dishes is sure to draw you in for the wonderful flavors! The centerpiece of the fundraiser is, of course, their mouthwatering, slow-roasted ham, glazed to perfection with their unique blend of honey and spices. Whether
it's served in slices, sandwiches, or as part of a wholesome meal, the unmistakable flavor of Honey Baked Ham is a crowd-pleaser that brings people together for a common cause. To complement the main attraction, a delightful array of sides, desserts, and beverages,
all carefully selected from the Honey Baked Ham menu, will create an unforgettable dining experience.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In addition to the culinary delights, a Honey Baked Ham gathering around good foods has a unique way of uniting people, memorable and meaningful occasions. It's an opportunity
for friends, family and neighbors to come together, savor delicious food and contribute to a worthy cause. With Honey Baked Ham's quality and reputation, you can be confident that your meal will be a flavorful success, bringing people closer while making a
positive impact. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The SC Association of Guide dog Users invites you to go to
</span><a href="https://www.honeybaked.com/fundraising/SCAGDU"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Honey Baked Ham
</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">to purchase your Honey Baked Ham store gift card!
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Your support is greatly appreciated!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">If anyone has outstanding pledges from the State Convention Banquet Fundraiser, please take care of these by December 31, 2023. You can mail a check to NFB of SC, 119 S. Kilbourne
Road, Columbia, SC 29205 or by using the donate link on the </span><a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">www.nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> website.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Annual Statewide Seminar will take place on January 6, 2024 at the Federation Center of the Blind beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding no later than 4:00 p.m. This is our
mid-year NFB of SC meeting and we want as many members as possible to join us. Last year, we had approximately 125 members present and a great time of learning took place. Chapter presidents should contact David Houck via e-mail at
</span><a href="mailto:nfbsc@sc.rr.com"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">nfbsc@sc.rr.com</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> or via telephone at 803-254-3777 by December 29, 2023 and let him
know how many plan to come from your chapter to assist with food planning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Things to Remember<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">SCAGDU Fundraiser<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">State Dues<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Chapter Elections<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Statewide Seminar on January 6, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Here is David Houck’s Federation Facing Fact.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">This week, the Blind Who Lead the Blind will provide background information on Ed bible, former state board member and current Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federation
Center of the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Ed Bible has served on the Federation Center Board of Directors as Chairman for six years. He also serves as
<a name="_Hlk154048200">vicechair</a> on the Rocky Bottom Board of Directors and is the At Large Chapter President. In addition, Bible serves on the Board of Trustees for the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind as appointed by the Governor. He served on the
National Federation of the Blind of SC's State Board for more than twenty years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Ed Bible was born in Laurens, South Carolina. He and his lovely wife, Julie, have two children, Jennifer and Ashton. Ed's father was in the Air Force, resulting in Ed's attending
17 different schools nationally and internationally. He graduated from the Rome Free Academy in Rome, New York. It was during this time that Ed met his "wife-to-be" Julie, who read to him during high school. After high school, Ed graduated from Syracuse University
earning a BA in Education and Social Science.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Because his visual acuity in both eyes was 20/400, Ed found himself unable to get a teaching position. He did not throw in the towel! Persistence, Patience and perseverance paid
off, when he secured a position with Snelling and Snelling as a Placement Specialist and Certified Personnel Consultant for the next six years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In 1985, Ed was contacted by Don Bradley from the SC Commission for the Blind with a job offer, which he accepted. In his tenure with the Commission, Ed climbed the ladder of
success. He started as a VR Counselor, was promoted to Employment Consultant then to an Assistive Technology Instructor. Ed was elevated into senior management and oversaw the operations of three departments including Assistive Technology and Training and
Employment. His most gratifying experience was placing a blind person into gainful employment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">In his free time, Ed is an avid reader and has shared many times that he wishes he had learned Braille. Having lost all his vision other than light perception and most of his
hearing, Ed became the proud owner of multiple dog guides over the years! This greatly contributes to his mobility and confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Marty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">119 S. Kilbourne Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Columbia, SC 29205<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Phone: 803-254-3777<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Mobile: 843-939-8091<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Website:
<a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org/"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.nfbofsc.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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