[NFBp-Berks] A Blizzard of Information: Watch Now!

Mon Feb 23 21:27:23 UTC 2026

Hey there PA Federationists,

Federation Focus [1] is back for the week of February 23, 2026--recorded 
from Studio B while Pennsylvania digs out from a major snowstorm. I 
share updates on two upcoming meetings, including the Seniors Group and 
the Greater Philly Chapter, along with details on two important 
fundraisers: the April raffle and the Spring Fling Blind Vendors 
Showcase. You'll also hear National Convention and scholarship 
reminders, plus a spotlight on White Canes Connect episode 150 and the 
debut of Simon's Studio--featuring Sound of Tennis in Philadelphia.

Scroll down for all the links!

Apply for a $10,000 National Scholarship

The National Federation of the Blind is accepting applications for the 
2026 NFB Scholarship Program. We offer an array of scholarships to blind 
students to support their educational and professional goals. In 
addition to the $10,000 cash award, each recipient receives funding to 
attend our national convention, opportunities to network with other 
blind students, and avenues to connect with hundreds of blind 
professionals. Learn more and apply at 
https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program. 
Application deadline is March 31, 2026.

National Convention in Austin

This year's National Convention is in Austin, Texas, from July 3-8. 
Learn more about the 2026 NFB National Convention at 
https://nfb.org/convention. Call 800-627-7468 to book your room. The 
main hotel is the JW Marriott. The spillover hotel is the Austin 
Marriott Downtown. Use the room block code, BL1, to ensure you receive 
the convention room rate.

Jernigan Scholarships for National Convention

If you have never been to a National Convention, you can apply for a 
Jernigan Convention Scholarship by going to 
https://www.nfbofpa.org/jernigan. Good luck!

Meetings

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 7:30 PM
Seniors Group
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/99546476505?pwd=cWU1bUpySFArLy84cmlZVHdXNEN5UT09
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,99546476505#

Saturday, February 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Greater Philadelphia Chapter
Zoom Only
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/meetings/97666825771/invitations?signature=_2F7tzs2xoMnx_mu92njSHpvAHhfbDy2OFICXSFo0U8 
[2]
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,97666825771#

Fundraisers

April Raffle Tickets on Sale Now

It's time for one of our most exciting fundraisers of the year--and it 
could put cash in your pocket all April long. Grab raffle tickets to 
sell, buy a few for yourself, or do both, and give yourself a chance to 
win every single night. Drawings happen nightly in April just before 
7:00 PM, with $50 winners Sunday through Friday and a $100 winner every 
Saturday. Even better, every ticket sold directly supports our general 
fund, helping members attend State and National Conventions, Washington 
Seminar, and other essential programs. It's simple, it's fun, and it's a 
win for you and for our Federation.

Spring Fling 2026

The Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants (PABM) invites you to 
its highly anticipated Spring Fling Blind Vendors Showcase on April 11, 
2026, from 4:00-10:00 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia 
Airport. Part fundraiser, part vendor showcase, this signature event 
celebrates the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of blind 
business owners from across the Commonwealth. Tickets are $60 for adults 
and $30 for children 12 and under, and include a buffet meal, a two-hour 
open bar for adults, and two raffle tickets per attendee. For more 
information and to register, go to 
https://www.pablindmerchants.org/springfling2026. If you are a blind 
vendor, we want to showcase your business! Register for a table to meet 
with attendees at https://pablindmerchants.org/exhibitors. Sponsorship 
opportunities are available! Visit https://pablindmerchants.org/sponsors 
to see the sponsorship levels and register.

White Canes Connect

In episode 150 of White Canes Connect, host Simon Bonenfant launches his 
new Simon's Studio series by spotlighting the expansion of Sound of 
Tennis into Philadelphia. Originally introduced in 2015 by Court 16 in 
New York City, Sound of Tennis has empowered blind and visually impaired 
athletes to learn, practice, and compete in tennis using auditory cues 
and adaptive techniques. Now, through a new partnership at Court 16's 
Philadelphia location, the program brings weekly Monday sessions from 12 
to 1 PM to Fishtown. Simon speaks with Maureen Holtz, Community 
Relations and Events Manager at Court 16, and Hildy Morales, an 
administrative assistant and passionate player, about the program's 
origins, its growth, the camaraderie among participants, and how 
listeners can get involved in this exciting new chapter for Philly.

Listen on your favorite podcast player or at:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%2410-000-national-convention-and-a-path-to-leadership/id1592248709?i=1000748743483

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DQCH0AhQ2v17uuPBtyasm

YouTube

https://youtu.be/WoLZvZMp36s?si=QNkFfWsTXMf_NwSs

White Canes Connect Website
https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/149/

White Canes Connect is on Two Best Visually Impaired Podcast Lists

Our affiliate podcast is one of the 100 Best Visually Impaired Podcasts 
on FeedSpot! Check out the list at 
https://podcast.feedspot.com/visually_impaired_podcasts/.

White Canes Connect is also on the Best 100 on Million Podcasts! Have a 
look: 
https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b 
[3]

NFB-NEWSLINE(R)

Learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE(R) at https://nfbofpa.org/nfb-newsline. 
Want to subscribe? Call (866)504-7300.

Braille Monitor

The Braille Monitor is the NFB's flagship publication. Learn more about 
it at https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor.

Independence Market Online

The Independence Market is available online! Explore their product 
offerings and make a purchase at https://catalog.nfb.org/.

Stay warm and have a great week ahead!

Regards,

David

-- 
David B. Goldstein
david at iCantCU.com
   (610) 715-5020 mobile
www.iCantCU.com [4]
iCantCU Podcast
Apple Podcasts [5] | Spotify [6] | Watch on YouTube [7]
Support The Podcast When You Shop
Amazon [8]
Connect with me:
Twitter [9] | Instagram [10] | LinkedIn [11] | Facebook [12]
My Other Show: White Canes Connect
Apple Podcasts [13] | Spotify [14] | YouTube [15]

Links:
------
[1] https://youtu.be/p3Ps4NwENpQ
[2] 
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/meetings/97666825771/invitations?signature=_2F7tzs2xoMnx_mu92njSHpvAHhfbDy2OFICXSFo0U8
[3] 
https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b
[4] http://www.iCantCU.com
[5] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icantcu-podcast/id1445801370
[6] https://open.spotify.com/show/3nck2D5HgD9ckSaUQaWwW2
[7] https://www.youtube.com/@icantcu/
[8] https://www.icantcu.com/amazon
[9] https://twitter.com/davidbenj
[10] https://www.instagram.com/davidbenj/
[11] https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbenj
[12] https://www.facebook.com/davidbenj
[13] 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709
[14] https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI
[15] https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbp-berks_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260223/a08b6c37/attachment.htm>