[NFBp-Berks] Federation Focus is Back with 99% Less Snow

Mon Mar 2 22:32:25 UTC 2026

Hey there PA Federationists,

Federation Focus [1] for the week of March 2, 2026 is packed. I've got 
three meetings on deck, two fundraisers you need to plug into, and key 
updates on state and national convention. We kick off with Coffee with 
the President, a state convention planning meeting, and the Jigsaw 
Chapter Zoom meeting. Raffle tickets are back--$5 gets you 30 chances to 
win in April--and the PABM Spring Fling Blind Vendor Showcase hits 
Philadelphia April 11. Plus, scholarship deadlines are looming and 
Austin is calling. Let's build the NFB of PA together.

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 
[2]. 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 [3]. 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 [4]. Good luck!

Meetings

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 7:30PM
Coffee with the President and NFB of PA Board
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96349504843?pwd=Tk5zL3RRRnd4QjRiRzl2ODM0bEJmQT09 
[5]
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,96349504843#

Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 8:00 PM
State Convention Planning Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/93740003678?pwd=VlJIYm5MNWJHdXdHSTNtOGlnL0xKdz09 
[6]
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,93740003678#

Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Jigsaw Chapter
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91793332704?pwd=a3dnVXdKeGJ2UEtscGNBbnpCU1BtUT09 
[7]
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,91793332704#

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 [8]. 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 [9]. 
Sponsorship opportunities are available! Visit 
https://pablindmerchants.org/sponsors [10] 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

FeedSpot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/visually_impaired_podcasts/.

Million Podcasts: 
https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b 
[11]

NFB-NEWSLINE(R)

Learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE(R) at https://nfbofpa.org/nfb-newsline 
[12]. 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 
[13].

Independence Market Online

The Independence Market is available online! Explore their product 
offerings and make a purchase at https://catalog.nfb.org/ [14].

Have a great week ahead!

Regards,

David

-- 
David B. Goldstein
david at iCantCU.com
   (610) 715-5020 mobile
www.iCantCU.com [15]
iCantCU Podcast
Apple Podcasts [16] | Spotify [17] | Watch on YouTube [18]
Support The Podcast When You Shop
Amazon [19]
Connect with me:
Twitter [20] | Instagram [21] | LinkedIn [22] | Facebook [23]
My Other Show: White Canes Connect
Apple Podcasts [24] | Spotify [25] | YouTube [26]

Links:
------
[1] https://youtu.be/wv7OBX-CO6k
[2] 
https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program
[3] https://nfb.org/convention
[4] https://www.nfbofpa.org/jernigan
[5] 
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96349504843?pwd=Tk5zL3RRRnd4QjRiRzl2ODM0bEJmQT09
[6] 
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/93740003678?pwd=VlJIYm5MNWJHdXdHSTNtOGlnL0xKdz09
[7] 
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91793332704?pwd=a3dnVXdKeGJ2UEtscGNBbnpCU1BtUT09
[8] https://www.pablindmerchants.org/springfling2026
[9] https://pablindmerchants.org/exhibitors
[10] https://pablindmerchants.org/sponsors
[11] 
https://www.millionpodcasts.com/visually-impaired-podcasts/?utm_source=smtp&utm_medium=F1_email&utm_content=template_b
[12] https://nfbofpa.org/nfb-newsline
[13] https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor
[14] https://catalog.nfb.org/
[15] http://www.iCantCU.com
[16] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icantcu-podcast/id1445801370
[17] https://open.spotify.com/show/3nck2D5HgD9ckSaUQaWwW2
[18] https://www.youtube.com/@icantcu/
[19] https://www.icantcu.com/amazon
[20] https://twitter.com/davidbenj
[21] https://www.instagram.com/davidbenj/
[22] https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbenj
[23] https://www.facebook.com/davidbenj
[24] 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709
[25] https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI
[26] https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast
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