[Ohio-Talk] December 2022 Quarterly Newsletter

[Michael Moore]

“Beyond the Six Dots”

 

National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division

December 2022 Quarterly Newsletter

We use a white cane, slate & stylus, and screen readers in between,

We read from the left, write from the right, and will tap tap onto any scene.

We want our communities to know what we’ve got, a commitment to serve,

Beyond the Six Dots!

 

12 DAYS OF CSD SERVICE

Written by Carol King-Ries, NFB of Delaware

It seems like it has only been a few months since we last celebrated the Winter holidays of Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanza, but a year has gone by like a flash and here we are again in the season of light, joy, and peace. As the Community Service Division (CSD) Newsletter team discussed this issue of the newsletter, we began to talk about how many people struggle during the holiday season.  This can be due to many reasons such as grief, loneliness, depression, and stress.  We thought it would be a good idea to incorporate 12 days of service into the CSD holiday season.  I know that you are probably thinking that you do not need another thing to add to your busy holiday life but hear me out.  If it does not bring joy, light, and peace to your life, and to those you are serving, do not do it!  Also, you do not have to do 12 days.  You can do 8 days (Hannukah), 7 days (Kwanza), or 1 day (Winter Solstice), or any amount that you choose, it is up to you.  Below you will find 12 ideas that are free, or low cost that you can provide to members of your community during this holiday season.  Tune up for the song….  On the first day of service, the CSD gave to me….

Idea #1:  Send a thinking of you card to someone you know that has lost a loved one this year. 

We all know of someone who has lost a loved one this year.  This will let them know that you have not forgotten about them.

Idea #2:  Call a person in your local chapter who you have not talked with in a while.

Sometimes, people think that if they are not actively engaged in a group, they do not matter to the group.  Dispel that thought with a phone call.  This may disband isolation for someone.

Idea #3:  Give a small gift to a child whose parent may be incarcerated, deployed in the military, or hospitalized and cannot be home for Christmas.

This will let the child know that they are not alone, and someone nearby is thinking of them.  Please get the permission of the local parent/guardian first.

Idea #4:  Share a meal with a Senior Citizen that lives alone.

This could be a meal that you make or purchase.  The idea that someone is thinking of them and spending time with them may make their day.

Idea #5:  Offer to be a holiday greeter at your local Senior center

Buy some candy canes and some bells and stand at the door or front desk with a big smile and Happy Holidays on your lips.  Make someone’s day better.

Idea #6:  Volunteer to gift wrap for organizations that give Christmas gifts to kids and families.

Even with my sight loss, I am one of the best gift wrappers around.  Organizations need this skill this time of year, and it will add to someone’s Christmas cheer.

Idea #7:  Play Braille games with a neighbor’s kids while they get things done around the house.

If you do not know Braille, play tactile games.  The kids may be fascinated by the Braille, and the parent/guardian will have the time to get something done with less stress.

Idea #8 Pack simple bag lunches and hand them out to the homeless

This could be as simple as a sandwich, bag of chips, and a piece of fruit.  This will require someone to help you find a group of people who are homeless, however, that person may gain from the experience as well.

Idea #9: Share a song with someone who needs encouragement

I wish that we could send the Popcorn King, Marvin, around to make people smile with his singing; but since we cannot, we can share a song via YouTube.  Friends have started doing this with me, and it has been fun to share and to smile.  I do it via cellphone, but it can also be done via email.

Idea #10:  Bake a batch of cookies and share them with someone who is alone 

This can be slice and bake cookies, or those you make from scratch, or buy from your grocer’s bakery.  It is truly the sweet thought that counts.

Idea #11:  Stream a holiday movie with someone

You can invite them to your house, or take the popcorn, candy and DVD to their house and enjoy the movie together.  It can be a classic such as “A Miracle on 34th Street”, or a contemporary classic like “The Preacher’s Wife”. 

Idea #12:  Send Christmas cards to people who are in Nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, or group homes.

These are people who may not get cards.  Send them some cheer via the USPS.

Please use these ideas or come up with your own.  The Community Service Division (CSD) would love to hear what you did to brighten someone’s holidays.

Happy holidays to all, and a Happy New Year!

DID SOMEONE SAY, POPCORN?

Pop Right To The Top!

March 3rd to March 7th

The NFB COMMUNITY SERVICE DIVISION is proud to announce the dates for our next mouth-watering, flavorsome, kernelicious POPCORN FUNDRAISER! That’s right, we’ve brought back the Double Good greatness, and our NFB CSD Willing Workers are diligently working-hard to setup a PopTastic popcorn store near you! 

Mark your calendars to start shopping on Friday, March 3rd at 12PM, and don’t stop until every bag has been sold by Tuesday, March 7th at 12PM EST!

We know the time is short, but these explosive flavors are popping out with greatness! As a matter of fact, we believe your pantry is feeling empty right now! It needs to know all about Butter Believe It, White Cheddar Go Getter, Little Kettle That Could, and more!

Proceeds gained from this fundraiser will support the efforts of the federation in addition to help promote the Community Service Division projects. With that being said, get your mouse clicks and finger taps ready because we’re going to POP RIGHT To The TOP, CSD Style!

Please contact Gloria Nathan-Cherry “The Popcorn Lady” for more information at, (215)-971-6650.

If you listen very, very closely, you can almost hear the sizzles and crackles of the hot oil. Double Good Gourmet has turned up the heat and is ready for the CSD fundraiser to start cooking in service!

 

WORDS FROM THE ORIGINAL

Written by Marvin K Griffin, Senior

 

They say a nickname is something someone else gives to you…. Well, they call me the popcorn king AKA Captain kernel. my real name is Marvin K Griffin, Senior and I guess I better share with you the reason why I was given my nicknames. I have been a full-fledged participant in the double good popcorn fundraiser for the Community Service Division of N F B for the last two years. I don’t mean to sound like a braggard, but I have managed to be the top seller in both campaigns as well, having contributed over $5500 in combined popcorn sales! now, my purpose today is not to sit here and boast about what I’ve done, because I do believe that what was done was accomplished as a collective by our entire group of popcorn store fundraisers and I am very proud of the work that we all did together, I anticipate absolute greatness going forward with the group that we have had in addition to the new recruits that we’ve had a chance to bring on board to our division. my purpose, today is to share my experience, and to give a little bit of insight into why I have had the positive results from the fundraiser. although I don’t plan to give away all of my secrets lol, I will give three steps that I think will be valuable tools for everyone going forward as we continue to endeavor in raising funds for our division. Step one no you’re focus group. I’d like to use a comparison to a garden for the steps, and we can treat the focus group just like we would treat the fertile soil for a garden. One of the most important things you can do with a fertile soil is to make sure that it has the right composition. Otherwise, you will see no harvest! and when it comes to people, one of the things that I choose to look at, is whether or not, these folks are warm to the conversation when I present what I’m doing. it’s very important to not spend too much time with folks who give you the I don’t know; are they will get back with me later type responses. These types of folks are the ones who, will more than likely will not give to the fundraiser, so it’s most important not to waste all of that precious time in that 4-day period Leaning on folks who aren’t really going to give you the results you’re looking for. another thing included in this first step is to make sure that you revisit the same supporters from previous events because that is where you create your base. to build upon from year to year. step 2 plant the seed.

I can remember when I first started gardening, and I planted my first seeds, and after a few days, I expected to see sprouts, but nothing happened. I had to reach out to one of my gardening buddies, and I discovered that my problem was that my seed was buried too deep within the soil, and it would never sprout at that level. Hmmm…. That’s interesting right? The seed needed to be placed in the proper position. In this instance, the seed for us as popcorn store fundraisers is actually our sales pitch.! Sometimes the pitches may take 5 minutes and others may take a few seconds believe it or not. All it takes is a little practice while including your top selling points. Remember, the more people you talk to actually gives you a great chance to tailor your pitch to each individual supporter. And before you know it those sales will grow just like my kingdom lol!

Finally step 3 water the garden!

We live in a time where information flows into our minds, phones, and on our computers and it is super easy for a 4-day fundraiser to slip off the radar of our supporters. The remedy for this problem is pleasant persistence. You got to water your garden my loyal subjects! Go back and remind those supporters who gave you a firm yes because sometimes they simply forget. Oftentimes I send a personalized reminder text. I try to keep these humorous too, after all we aren’t trying to twist arms, right? A bit of wit goes a long way!

Lastly my friends, the Original popcorn king, captain kernel and whatever other monikers I receive will mean nothing without good people to share them, with. so, I hope what I have written in this article will help all who join us to become kings and queens on the CSD popcorn team!! Ladies and gents, the OPK bids you farewell, work your gardens friends and, we’ll see you all in March!!!

 

REPRESENT YOUR STATE

Reaching Hearts, Changing Lives; Reflections From The Buckeye State

Written by Delcenia Brown, NFB Ohio

Recently, the NFB of Ohio Community Service Division partnered with City Mission for their 2022 annual affiliate service project. Delcenia Brown and Joann Williams, along with several other dedicated members focused on collecting the City Mission’s most needed and requested items.

“The city mission empowers men, women, and children in crisis to overcome their unique, complex path to homelessness. Since 1910 the city mission of Cleveland has provided the basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing to those in crisis.

Although I have never stayed at the City Mission, I do Remember a time of homelessness and a time in my own life where it was a struggle to make ends meet, have money for transportation and to keep warm. So, It was an easy decision to ask the Community Service Division to partner with the City Mission of Cleveland.

After the members of Ohio’s Community Service reviewed the list of items that were needed, we voted to contribute to the most needed items. Which were twins’ sheets, twins’ blankets and all-day bus passes to assist individuals to get to interviews and/or work.   Well Ohio members, family & friends really stepped up to the call. We were able to collect $400 for all-day bus passes and several large boxes filled with twin sheets sets and blankets.   I was excited and happy to see the turn out. Knowing that winter is approaching The Community Service Division of Ohio, and that we were able to assist in reaching hearts & changing lives of those in crisis in Cleveland, brought joy to my heart. It warmed my heart to know we assisted in the basic needs and gave hope to an individual.”

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” 

THE BEST GIFT

Need to brush up on your holly jolly LOL-inducing humor around the holidays? We’ve got the best gift in town, the gift of joy!

Question: What do grapes sing at Christmas?

Answer: 'Tis the season to be jelly! 🎵🎶🎼

“Don’t think about it, laugh about it!”

BRAILLE IS SUCH A BLESSING

International World Braille Day, January 4th

Written by Colleen Roth, NFB Ohio

Today, audiobooks and the products that play them, like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s iPhone, are more popular than ever. This has raised an important question: In the age of audio-recorded literature and accessible technology, is braille still necessary? Colleen Roth would jump up and down and shout, YES, yes, yes!!!!

“Braille is such a blessing; it is absolutely necessary!”

Just as sighted readers have their preferences between paperback, digital and, yes, audiobooks, so too do sight impaired readers, and many of them simply prefer braille.

“In late August I was given a Romeo 25 Embosser by the Catholic Diocese in Toledo, Ohio.  It produces Braille on 1 side of the page. This was the beginning of my embossing journey as a service to Catholic Dioceses in Ohio, and chapters and divisions within the Ohio affiliate.

Since I have started this service project, I have been blessed to emboss materials such as liturgies, prayer group materials, chapter and division constitutions, membership list, state convention auction, materials for ordination of priests and deacons, and the list goes on.

I truly love Braille and will continue to provide this embossing service for those in need. Further information along with my contact information is provided below within the resource section of the newsletter.”

Thank you for your service, Colleen! And anyone that has had an opportunity to spend time with you, undoubtably knows your love and passion for Braille literacy.

We hope everyone will join CSD on January 4, 2023 to honor Louis Braille’s 214th birthday, and celebrate the awareness of the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and visually impaired people. After all, it was Helen Keller who said, “the blind is as indebted to Louis Braille, the eponymous inventor of the tactile reading system, as mankind is to Gutenberg and his printing press.”

"Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power”

ANSWER THE CALL

National MLK Day of Service, January 20th

Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service (MLK Day) is the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” Participation in service activities has grown each year as more Americans are encouraged to provide meaningful change in their communities.  Whether service meets a tangible need, such as fixing up a school or senior center, builds a sense of community or mutual responsibility. In a pandemic environment, service can take on the form of sending a meal through a meal delivery service, serving as a virtual mentor, or donating money to a charitable cause to help those who lack basic essential items.

No matter the choice, service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community. It breaks down barriers by bringing people from different backgrounds together and it benefits those who choose to serve. Coretta Scott King said, “The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.”

As stewards of America's lands and natural resources, the work we do at DOI epitomizes Dr. King’s belief in the power of service, as expressed in his legendary quote, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” In keeping with Dr. King’s example, let us embrace the belief that our destiny is shared and accept our obligations to each other, future generations and the American people by strengthening the bonds that hold together the most diverse Nation on earth.  Each one of us can help answer his call by pledging to love and serve.

Which brings us to one incredible and humble man within our federation that was recently recognized for answering the King’s pledge, as the 28th annual winner of their Martin Luther King Freedom Award!

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., AFSCME Local 725, and the State of Indiana awarded NFB Newsline Indiana Director, Lee Martin, Senior the Freedom Award.

The Freedom Award is granted to individuals or projects whose major societal

influence includes breaking down barriers that have divided us in the past

and/or building ongoing relationships that foster respect, understanding,

and harmony in our community. And there is no one more deserving of this award than our very own, Lee Martin!

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

RESOURCES

Braille Technology Throughout the Ages: A Special Event for World Braille Day

by The Braillists Foundation

In addition to our collaboration with Sight and Sound Technology, we are pleased to present an evening panel discussion for World Braille Day focusing on braille technology: its past, present and future. We will be joined by historians, people working in the braille technology industry today and developers of the next generation of braille hardware and software.

The event will take place on Wednesday 4 January at 7:00 PM, and you will need to register in advance. This is a separate registration link to both our regular Masterclasses and the event with Sight and Sound. Please email:

help at braillists.org, if you have difficulties completing the form.

Register for the World Braille Day evening event here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModO-oqDwiGNDeirVP5hgN9eeND2PY5_Eh

 

To join by phone, please use these details:

Phone number: 0131 460 1196

Meeting ID: 875 3606 7824

Passcode: 123456

 

Embossing Projects

Colleen Roth, NFB Ohio is willing to provide embossed materials for those in need. Projects that are 300 pages or less are free. Projects that are more than 300 pages will include a paper cost. All projects will be shipped Free Matter For The Blind, unless the person wants to pay for faster shipping. All materials will be embossed in English Braille American Edition. To discuss Braille projects, please contact Colleen at (419) 661-9171.

EDITOR’S NOTES

We want to feature you in our next issue! Write about your personal experience with your community service project and submit the article by the first of the month.

We also want to help promote your community projects and state affiliate events. Share your calendar with Beyond The Six Dots and we will feature your events in the ‘Represent Your State’ section of our next issue. Contact our editor to submit your calendar events and featured articles. (The editor may edit the Length and/or wording of your article.)

 

NFB Community Service Division

 <http://www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/> www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/

President Jeanetta Price

Email:  <mailto:price.jeanetta at gmail.com> price.jeanetta at gmail.com

Mobile: (409) 344-1005

Newsletter Editor: Maggie Stringer

Email:  <mailto:Ravensfan784 at gmail.com> Ravensfan784 at gmail.com

Mobile: (443) 750-0070

ONE MINUTE MESSAGE

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. We are survivors!



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