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<p class="MsoNormal">Rita's and Fairfax NFBV event an awesome success!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last Thursday, the Fairfax Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind teamed with Rita’s Italian Ice of Fairfax to do a fundraiser for the chapter and educational event.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Members of the chapter invited their friends and family to join us at Rita’s where they could enjoy the awesome desserts while sharing information about the Federation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Annette Carr organized the event and her planning really showed. While patrons enjoyed their tasty treats, Annette kept them entertained with Braille translation games and educated them with information about our chapter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our guests were not restricted to just the two-legged-kind. There were guide dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Again, an opportunity to teach about what skills and techniques the blind use to participate fully in society.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of those attending came all the way from Baltimore to join us and to develop collaborative events in the future. Corissa Fanning, Regional Manager of the Puppy Program, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, came to see just how guide dogs and
their blind partners actually work together. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was standing room only at Rita’s—literally. Someone did comment that they thought there were just too many people there. Not such a bad problem to have when you want to reach out to the community.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We don’t know yet how much money the chapter raised. But, that wasn’t our primary goal. We wanted to get to know the community and to give them a chance to know us and we were very successful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many helped to plan and to get the word out about this incredibly successful event. I would like to identify a few who went far beyond the call of duty. They are Annette carr, Joy Relton, Rodney Neely, and Carolena Garrison. Another big
thanks goes to everyone who attended.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Bailey<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President, Fairfax Chapter<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">NFB of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">703.994.2040<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:John_bailey17@hotmail.com">John_bailey17@hotmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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