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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>Fifty enthusiastic participants raised over $4,000 during the April 16 Walk with the Blind. This is the Historic Fredericksburg Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind's annual fund raising/community awareness activity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The event commenced at the Fredericksburg City Dock with welcoming remarks by Vice Mayor Billy Withers, a motor cycle Color Guard and additional opening ceremonies conducted by Michael Kasey, the chapter's founding president. Currently, Mr. Kasey is president of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Shop owners on Caroline Street generously donated gift certificates which were distributed just before the walkers started toward their destination, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Each year, the Historic Fredericksburg Chapter schedules the Walk With the Blind to coincide with the library's book fair. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The fortunate 30 people who received gift certificates reached the library, greeted the Access Services staff, then visited the shops on their way back to the dock. Despite earlier predictions of rain, the weather was ideal for the Walk With the Blind. All participants expressed genuine enjoyment of the activity and considered it a success. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Holly Frisch<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Fredericksburg Area Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>NFB of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The National Federation of the Blind is a consumer organization with more than 50,00 members. A few of its activities include awarding academic scholarships to college students who are blind, providing intensive emersion training for people who are still adjusting to their blindness and advocating for the right of all people who are blind to compete on terms of equality in today's employment market.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Nfbv-announce mailing list<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:Nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org">Nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>