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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Good Morning Everyone<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Oh, the humanity. My nerves cannot bare it.” This was my attitude this morning when I showered and got the email confirming my reservation for the van rental at Enterprise. Yes, I know that the first question should be “Why in the world does Robert, the guy with a guide dog, have a car rental confirmation?” Well,. Saturday is the big day. The Virginia Association of Blind Students’ first “Meet the Blind Month” event will be taking place! As a division, I am so proud of VABS and its members/board for all the hard work they put into this event. I encourage all of you, if you are in the area, to take a chance to relax, take in the cool breeze of the ocean front, and enjoy throwing large heavy balls with holes in them down a runway. Also, if you cannot make it, I will not be angry with you, just a little disappointed. To avoid this disappointment, simply buy a VABS raffle ticket. We are raffling off a brand-new Amazon Tap speaker. The Tap, unlike the Dot or Echo, is portable enough that it does not need a plugged-in source of power. The Tap does all the functions of the Echo and Dot, including Alexa voice command, WIFI, and Bluetooth capabilities, all while being battery operated. Thus, this speaker is useful on long car rides, in remote cabin trips to the mountains, and even to beach parties next summer during national convention. If you are interested in buying a ticket, please contact me via email or by phone. You can buy a ticket in person or even, get this, buy one over the phone. VABS will accept payments through Square Cash if you would like to purchase a raffle ticket. Tickets are $5 each and I welcome the support. Below are the event details.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When: Saturday, October 7, 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Where: Pin Boys at the Beach <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1577 Laskin Rd. Ste. 100<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Virginia Beach, VA 23451<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Time: 1-5pm<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For more information about this event or to buy a raffle ticket. Feel free to call me at 804.801.7674 or send an email to <a href="mailto:rob.parso3389@gmail.com">rob.parso3389@gmail.com</a>. I look forward to hanging out with some of you at the bowling alley on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks<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><span style='font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif'>Robert E. Parsons Jr.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif'>President, Richmond Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif'>President, Virginia Association of Blind Students<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif'>Randolph Macon College '18 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif'>Phone: 804 801 7674<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif'>"Without struggle, there is no progress." -Frederick Douglass<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>