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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>We have an opportunity to conduct our annual Walk with the Blind this October. See the announcement below and come to our June 19 Chapter meeting prepared to discuss our involvement!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The NFB of Virginia Public Relations Committee invites all of you and your chapter members to participate in an activity we are calling "Virginia Walk with the Blind". This event will take place Saturday, October 9, 2021, starting at 10 AM. This will take place during Meet the Blind Month and will occur before White Cane Awareness Day. This is a great way to make people aware of who we are and what we can do!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Here is how to prepare: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Identify a place for everyone to meet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Work out a route for people to walk. It is important that this event can take place in an area that is seen by the public such as a neighborhood or a public park or space. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Get as many of your chapter members as possible to participate. Have chapter members invite family and friends to come with them. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>As the event date approaches, contact local media and let them know about our walk. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Contact your local Mayor's office and request a proclamation for White Cane Awareness Day. Invite a local city official to read the proclamation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Here are some ways to enhance your event:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Make this event into a fundraiser by encouraging chapter members to get pledges and collect contributions from family, friends, and local businesses. You can ask businesses to donate such items as drinks, snacks, and items that could be given away to participants. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Encourage participants to wear NBF logoed attire such as shirts, hats, or pins. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Have NFB literature to hand out to members of the general public. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>On the day of the event:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Have everyone gather around 9:30 or so on the day of the event at the designated starting point. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Make sure one person has a cell phone with a speaker and the ability to connect to a zoom call. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Just before 10 AM, the person with the phone will connect up with other sites via zoom. Each site will have the chance to read their city's proclamation and let everyone know who is there. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt'> </span>Then everyone will walk around along the predetermined route, gathering together at the end. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Last year, the Tidewater, Peninsula, Greater Williamsburg, and Chesapeake Bay chapters participated in this event. As a result of this event, Whie Cane Awareness Day Proclamations were issued in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and Williamsburg. The public radio station in Hampton Roads aired two news stories related to this event. These stories were also featured on our National website. We know that in the past, the Richmond and Fredericksburg chapters have had their own walkathons, we would hope they can join their events with the rest of the chapters that choose to participate. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>