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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><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hey NFB Family and Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Welcome to another edition of Member to Member! Today we’re going from the past to the present…we’ll get to know Corlis Jones, the 1<sup>st</sup> President of the Greater Williamsburg Chapter and Mike Lengyel, its current President.,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Corlis started as a member of the Peninsula Chapter in 1988, Althia Pittman, another long time member, asked her to attend a chapter meeting. Corlis was the Secretary for the chapter. She went to conventions, was involved with fundraising and educating, especially young people, about the NFB. She fell in love with the NFB, its mission, values and how it changes people’s lives, because of these factors and the fact she and her husband live in Williamsburg, Corlis decided to start the Greater Williamsburg Chapter in 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>She and “T”, William, her husband did just that!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>At the public library, one evening, she, T and a couple of others started sharing our mission! Corlis says “I wasn’t good with public speaking, I’m shy. Charlie Brown, the Affiliate President at the time, assured me we’d do this together! And we did. T and I went to everything spreading the word, health fairs, Lions and other organizations meetings, senior living facilities, where and when ever there was an opportunity. It took time and effort, the chapter grew.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Corlis would like to see the chapter getting back into the community and doing things together. “We did more educational speaking and spreading our mission than we do now. We also got together socially more often. I’d like to see our chapter get back to those things again” Corlis says wistfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“When I went to my first National Convention, in Philly in 2001, I was awe struck, amazed overwhelmed, and knew I was home”. She says she interacted with so many blind people who were doing their thing and moving right along. “It gave me hope and confidence and helped me to believe I could do this, I could live as a blind person and have a good life! Being with the elders, the people who changed laws and made it acceptable to be blind was freeing for me.” Corlis particularly enjoyed seeing the children with their small white canes, she has held that experience in her heart and has made it a point to educate and encourage our young people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Corlis was born and raised in Croaker. She is the oldest of 8, 5 borthers and 2 sisters. She and William “T” got married in 1984. Corlis says her twins were 3, her daughter was 11 and son was 16 when she lost her sight. She was encouraged by T, her family and friends to get training so she attended Richmond Center; she learned home management, childcare, and mobility which gave her the strength and courage to take care of her family. When her kids got older, Corlis went back to Richmond to learn more mobility, to learn Braille and computer skills. Corlis is an avid reader, she likes going to plays and being with her family. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We’ve learned about the beginnings of the Greater Williamsburg Chapter with Corlis. Now, let’s fast forward to now with Mike.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mike will celebrate his 3 year anniversary with our NFB Family in May.Mike has been the chapter’s Vice President, has been involved in fund raising and education, especially in the Williamsburg Schools, and he’s been to 3 State Conventions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>He would like to see the chapter out in the community more. “we are here, we’ve invaded and we’re taking over! Our community should know this.”Mike chuckles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mike grew up in Youngstown Ohio. He has 1 brother and 2 sisters. He is the 2<sup>nd</sup> oldest. He graduated from Youngstown state University with a degree in Engineering. He was recruited in 1990 by The Shipyard to be an Construction Supervisor on a carrier. So he made the trek to Virginia. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>He met his wife, “the love of my life”, Dana in 1993. They met through mutual friends. Together they have one son, Brandon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>With tears in his voice, Mike recalls favorite memories…”I saw my beautiful, almost wife, walking down the aisle, I was so in love! I was worried she wasn’t going to show up.” “When my son was born, I was in the delivery room. I knew we were having a boy, Dana didn’t. I was there, I saw my son being born!!. The next day, I brought Dana breakfast. Won’t ever forget those two days.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mike is a Mr. Fix it, he does all sorts of home repairs. He is a big sports fan. When I asked which sport, he replied, enthusiastically, ALL OF THEM! Mike thinks his NFB Family would be surprised to know he’s a perfectionist, “everything has to be right” he proclaims. Mike wants to take his family to Mt. Rushmore; it’s one of his bucket list items.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mike is currently attending the Richmond Center. He is learning Braille, home management, mobility, and computer skills. He wants to be the best version of himself he can possibly be!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thanks Corlis and Mike! It’s been great getting to know you both better. Come back next week and meet more of your fellow members.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Peace,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Corresponding Secretary NFBV<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com">mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="tel:(757)291-1789">tel:(757)291-1789</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Membership Chair<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:membership@nfbv.org">mailto:membership@nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="tel:(757)354-4170">tel:(757)354-4170</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>STRONGER TOGETHER!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>