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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Renee Valdez, Outreach Coordinator<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Silver Bells<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>Hello Friends!</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>Silver BELLS is hosting our second “virtual” Meet & Greet on Saturday, January 13</span><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>th</span></sup><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.! Here is the zoom information:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><a href="https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09" target="_blank">https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09</a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>Meeting ID: 829 725 6345 Passcode: 20201940 </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>One tap mobile +13017158592,,8297256345#</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,8297256345#</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>In case you haven’t heard, there is this really awesome opportunity available for people who are 55 years and older, experiencing vision loss, live in Virginia, and have the stamina to embark on an exciting training opportunity! It’s called Silver BELLS!</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>From hands-on lessons to thought-provoking discussions ... from classic confidence building to new friendships, this just might make the list of your favorite things you do in 2024.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>Haven't heard of Silver BELLS yet? Here is just a short list of benefits…</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>ü</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>It’s camaraderie in the company of new friends.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>ü</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>It’s learning confidence in the comfort of a safe envionment.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>ü</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>It’s getting answers to your gnawing concerns from people who get it.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>ü</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>It’s you, and us, working side by side to tackle day-to-day independent living skills.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>ü</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>It’s games and socializing when we aren’t doing the hard work.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>ü</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>And this is only the start of what we hope will be an ongoing partnership.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>If you have the desire to be the most independent version of yourself, we invite you to apply to attend one of our three weekend retreats! You will have the opportunity for hands-on fundamental training in home management, technology, travel, and communications. Learn to take charge of your own personal tasks. Just because you are low vision or blind does not mean you need to rely on someone else.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>The retreats are scheduled to begin on a Thursday evening and end by 10 a.m. on Sunday. Here are the dates and locations for this year’s retreat weekends:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>February 22</span><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>nd</span></sup><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'> through the 25</span><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>th</span></sup><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'> in Virginia Beach</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>March 21</span><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>st</span></sup><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'> through the 24</span><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>th</span></sup><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'> in Richmond</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>April 25</span><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>th</span></sup><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'> through the 28</span><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>th</span></sup><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'> in Sterling</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>This opportunity is provided free of charge to Virginia residents thanks to a grant from the Virginia Board for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia. Space is limited so if you are interested, please visit our website at </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><a href="https://www.nfbv.org/silverbells" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>https://www.nfbv.org/silverbells</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'> for more information and a short video that may answer some of your questions. You can access the online application directly from the website by clicking on the words highlighted in blue, “Register for the program”, or you can click on this link </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><a href="https://www.nfbv.org/silver-bells-registration" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>https://www.nfbv.org/silver-bells-registration</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>If you have any questions or need assistance accessing or completing the online application, please get in touch with our Program Coordinator, Sandy Halverson via phone at: 703-400-6890, or by email at: </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><a href="mailto:silverbells@nfbv.org" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>silverbells@nfbv.org</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>. Spaces are filling up quickly for all locations, so reserve your spot today!</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=ydpa7035fc2msonormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>Why Silver Bells? Because you deserve and have earned the right to FREEDOM, RESPECT, and DIGNITY!</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"New serif",serif'>Renée Valdez</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>NFBV Silver BELLS<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Outreach Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><a href="mailto:OUTREACH@NFBV.ORG">OUTREACH@NFBV.ORG</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>