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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Happy new Year’s, Cleveland members,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope your celebrations went well and you’re looking forward to 2025.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I want to bring to your attention some information that is very pertinent for the month of January. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Chacity Gilliam, vice president.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>First, the yearly dues are due this month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cleveland dues are $15 per year. Those who paid after September, you do not have to pay dues. September through December payments is good for the entire year of 2025.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secondly, as of yesterday, the national convention reservation in New Orleans Louisiana is open.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Information about the national convention and how you can make your reservations at the hotel is below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valentine Day Escape package<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will be mailing and handing out our fundraising tickets. You can still have people go online and send their money through Zelle. We will assign them a ticket with a number and put it in the mail. That information also is below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This weekend, on Saturday at 10 AM, the Ohio diabetic action network will hold their business meeting. In addition, they will have two presenters. That information is below as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Note.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will be very busy for the next six months. So, tie your shoes, strap your boots on, put your thinking cap on, and anything else that’s going to help you be your best. This year we are taking our Cleveland chapter to new heights.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On January 18, 2025 at noon to 2:30 pm, we will hold our Chapter meeting. I am asking everyone to attend in person. We will meet at the Garfield heights library in room B.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Read through this email to its entirety below!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ohio Diabetes Action Network (DAN)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Ohio DAN would like to invite all to attend our first meeting of 2025.in The Ohio Zoom Hall on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10 A.M. We have a special guest from the National DAN Division. Yes, it is Debbie Wunder who will share exciting news. Also, a Presentation on meal prep & exercising by Tenisha Brown, food blogger , who will get us fit for 2025. First, we will take care of some business items prior to these great speakers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Convention Bulletin 2025<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can make your reservations now!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tuesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 13, 2025,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the New Orleans Marriot <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Marriott New Orleans will serve as our headquarters hotel while right across the street is the Sheraton New Orleans providing the balance of our sleeping rooms and activity space. The hotels sit astride the storied Canal Street at 555 and 500 Canal Street respectively, only blocks from the mighty Mississippi River and even closer to the historic French Quarter. Both hotels offer a range of dining options as well as fitness centers. You’ll find a rooftop pool at the Marriott while the Sheraton features a Starbucks in its atrium lobby.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The nightly rate for both the Marriott and the Sheraton is $119 for singles and doubles. Triples and quads can be booked for $129 per night. In addition, the combined sales tax and tourism support rate is 16.2 percent and there is a hotel occupancy fee of $3.00 per night.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To book your room for the 2025 Convention, call <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>888-236-2427 for the Marriott or <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>855-516-1090 for the Sheraton <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Note: the hotel will take a deposit of the first night’s room rate, taxes, and fees and will require a credit card. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If a reservation is cancelled before Sunday, June 1, 2025, half of the deposit will be returned. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made beyond that date. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>The National Federation of the Blind of Cleveland is offering a wonderful opportunity for you and that special someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day at the luxurious Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel , located at 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd, Independence, Ohio 44131. All you need to do is purchase a Valentine Day Escape ticket for only $10! Tickets are sold from December 13, 2024 to February 9, 2025. In addition, if you are not the winner of the hotel stay, there is a second and third prize as well! The second prize winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to dine at the exquisite Capital Grill, and the third prize is $50 in cash.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>You do not have to live in Cleveland or Ohio to win!!!<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>This sale will support Cleveland’s efforts in providing convention assistance to Cleveland members for the 2025 National Federation of the Blind National convention in New Orleans Louisiana. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Please tell your customers--;<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Check-In: Friday February 14, 2025 at 4:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Check-Out: Saturday February 15, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Relax during the Manager’s Social Hour, which includes two adult beverage tickets and delicious Hors D’oeuvres.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And, as you wake up from your romantic night, partake of the made to order breakfast, including an “omelet bar” for two in the hotel’s cozy restaurant.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please, support our efforts by purchasing a Valentine Day Escape Ticket for only $10 and win a special and romantic evening with your “Valentine”. We will draw the winner on February 9<sup>th</sup> , 2025 either on Facebook or in the Ohio Zoom Hall. You can pay by zelle at <a href="mailto:nfb.cle.treasurer@gmail.com">nfb.cle.treasurer@gmail.com</a><u> and add, “Valentine Day Escape in the comments field. You can also pay by mail. Please contact, Natassha Ricks, Treasurer at 216-376-9863 for her address. <o:p></o:p></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>4:<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>Zoom info for all online meetings:<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Join by:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://zoom.us/j/4081850851">https://zoom.us/j/4081850851</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 408 185 0851<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One tap mobile +1-646-876-9923, 4081850851# US<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find your local number: <a href="https://zoom.us/u/abdqTMSdcy">https://zoom.us/u/abdqTMSdcy</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>See you soon!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ohio Legislative Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cleveland Chapter, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:24.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>P: (216) 990-6199<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>W: NFBOhio.ORG<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>