[NFBOH-Cleveland] February Cleveland Updates!

Tue Feb 3 23:14:21 UTC 2026

Good Evening, Cleveland Members,

Please welcome, Devantae Tucker, Joyce White,  Shannon Polk, Santhi Dol,

Masquenada Douglas, Tracy Christopher, Bryan Tegowski, Bruce Tegowski,
Devonte Tucker and Darryl McClendon to the Cleveland Chapter.

Happy Birthday to Cleveland members with birthdays in January and February. 

Please keep the following in your prayers and good thoughts,

Wayne Fletcher, Ivory Thomas, Sue Ott, and Cecil Dukes

Cleveland is holding a party celebrating the Valentine Fundraiser this
Saturday, February 7th from noon to 3:00PM. The location is the Buffelo Wild
Wings, 26200 Harvard Rd. Warrensville Ohio.

Come and fellowship along with enjoyment of tasty food. There is also an
array of areas to shop.

///

Cleveland Chapter February Meeting

Details:

All are invited to join the Cleveland Chapter for our monthly chapter
meeting on February 20, 2026 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM on the Ohio Zoom
platform. We will have to speakers, Gary Wunder and Ohio Affiliate
President, Richard Payne.

Gary will present on his Braille Monitor article: Changing Words, Changing
Minds, Changing the World. I will share his article on Sunday prior to the
Friday's meeting so that you will have an opportunity to review for in-depth
conversation, and President Payne will provide insight on, "Why he is a
member and leader of the largest blind organization." There will be a Q/A
session.

///

Announcement from Tomeika Hurt, Fundraising Chair

Details:

For members who received Valentine Fundraising tickets for sale, which were
distributed during the November 2025 meeting, all 500 tickets have been
distributed to members. Most of them have been sold. However, there are a
few members who will have tickets at the February Meet and Greet on this
Saturday, February 7th from noon to 3:00PM. Come and get a bite to eat at
the Buffelo Wild Wings, located at 26200 Harvard Rd. Warrensville, Ohio. 

Members will turn in all tickets and funds on the following day. 

1. You can turn in tickets stubs and money at the Cleveland Sight Center on
Thursday from 12:30Pm to 2:30PM. I will be present.

2. And, the final deadline is February 7th when all stubs and money should
be turned into the Fundraising Chair, Tomeika Hurt.

Therefore, the drawing will be on February 8, 2026 in the Ohio zoom room at
4:00PM EST. You do not need to be present or reside in Ohio to win.

There are four prizes,

A: Hotel stay at the Embassy Suites with love basket,

B: Massage for two,

3: A certificate for $100 at the Capital Grill

4: And lastly, $50 in cash.

Anyone may purchase a ticket for $10. You do not have to reside in Ohio to
win.

Consequently, If you would like to purchase or assist with the sale, contact
Tomeika at (216) 820-5404.

"I honestly believe that we all can do this and bring in money so it can
help out with assistance for convention as well as the Washington and
Columbus Seminars. Thus, any other assistance that is needed with the
agreement of the Executive Board for approval. If you have any questions
pertaining to the tickets, please do not hesitate to contact me. You have a
beautiful, wonderful, productive blessed day."

Love Tomeika Hurt

///

Announcement from the National Senior Division,

Details:

2026 National Senior Division Retreat

What is a retreat, you ask?

The NFB Senior Division sponsors a winter retreat for those seniors who are
new to blindness or who want a refresher for some of the techniques that
don't require vision.

Dates: February 8 to February 14, 2026

Meet & Greet on Sunday, February 8 and Wrap-up Saturday, February 14, 2026

Will be Held 1 PM - 2:30 PM

Monday through Friday, Noon - 5 PM

These will be one-hour classes.

Featuring Cane Travel, Daily Living Skills, Technology Tips and Tricks from
Low Tech to High Tech,  and so much more

All of this for the cost of only $50. So, kindly go to the link below and
join us in this weeklong journey. You will learn, share and enjoy the
fellowship in this safe environment.

Sign up here:

<https://forms.gle/mZ1rkvneov65Utyc9> https://forms.gle/mZ1rkvneov65Utyc9

Looking forward to having you in our zoom room!

///

National Convention

Details:

The upscale JW Marriott Austin will serve as our headquarters hotel, while
the recently opened Austin Mariott Downtown, just a short walk away, will
provide overflow space. All convention events will take place in the
headquarters hotel this year. Both hotels offer a number of dining options,
24/7 fitness centers, and rooftop pools with cabana rentals. The hotels are
in the heart of downtown Austin, surrounded by local restaurants and shops.
A few blocks south, walking trails line the section of the Colorado River
known as Lady Bird Lake.

Our 2026 convention hotel rate is $139 per night for singles and doubles.
Triples and quads are available for $155 per night. Sales tax and a tourism
fee total a combined 19 percent.

You may book a room at 800-535-4028 as early as January 1.

///

Announcement from Chacity Gilliam Vice president

Details:

The 2026 State of Ohio Convention will be held at the Marriott University of
Dayton Hotel, 1414 South Patterson, Blvd. Dayton Ohio on November 5th
through 8th 2026. The hotel rate is $129 per night. You can make your
reservation now by calling 800-535-4028.

Cleveland will charter a bus coach to Dayton. Here are the details:

The price of a round-trip seat is $120 per passenger.

You can begin installment payments starting on February 7, 2026 at the
Buffelo Wild Wings. 

A $30 deposit is due by March 21, 2026 to secure your seat.

Final payment is due on September 21, 2026.

Deposits are final.

You can either make your payments by zelle or mail.

Zelle address: NFB.CLE.Treasurer at Gmail.com
<mailto:NFB.CLE.Treasurer at Gmail.com> 

Mail: NFB of Cleveland, Attention, Natassha Ricks,

6980 Ladd Ln.

Maple Heights, Ohio 44137

Please call either Chacity Gilliam at 216-644-4374 or Natassha Ricks at
216-376-9863 to inform them of your payment.

Note: Please put in the memo: Dayton Trip.

I hope to see you all this Saturday for a bite to eat and fellowship; along
with turning in your Valentine stubs and funds.

Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Vice President

Ohio Legislative Director

Cleveland Chapter, President

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

P: (216) 990-6199

W: NFBOhio.ORG

Facebook:  <https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/>
https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/

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