[nfbmi-talk] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Announces March Drive for Imaginators

[Larry Posont]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Freeh, Jessica 
To: Alpidio Rolon ; Amy Buresh ; Angela Wolf ; Anil Lewis ; Art Schreiber ; Beth Rival ; Bill Packee ; Bob Kresmer ; Carl Jacobsen ; Cathy Jackson ; Charlene Smyth ; Christine G. Hall ; Dan Hicks ; Daniel Burke ; Don Galloway ; Donna Wood ; Elsie Lamp ; Frank Lee ; Franklin Shiner ; Fred Schroeder ; Gary Ray ; Gary Wunder ; J.W. Smith ; James Antonacci ; James Broadnax ; Jennelle Bichler ; Jennifer Dunnam ; Joe Ruffalo ; John Batron ; John Fritz ; Joyce Scanlan ; Ken Rollman ; Kevan Worley ; Larry Posont ; Lynn Majewski ; Marie Johnson ; Mary Willows ; Matt Lyles ; Matt Lyles ; Melissa Riccobono ; Michael Barber ; Michael Freeman ; Mika Pyyhkala ; Nani Fife ; Pam Allen ; Parnell Diggs ; Patti Chang ; Rena Smith ; Richard Gaffney ; Ron Brown ; Ron Gardner ; Sam Gleese ; Scott LaBarre ; Selena Sundling-Crawford 
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 10:57 AM
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Announces March Drive for Imaginators



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

National Federation of the Blind 
Announces March Drive for Imaginators
Join the Race for Independence and Win Funds for Your Affiliate
 

Baltimore, Maryland (March 8, 2010): With five months remaining in the first phase of the National Federation of the Blind's Race for Independence, Imagination Fund Chairman Parnell Diggs today urged affiliates to sign up as many of their members as possible by March 31.  For every ten members of each of the Federation's fifty-two affiliates that sign up to be Imaginators and participate in the Race for Independence by the end of March, the affiliate will be entered in a drawing to receive $250.  The Race for Independence is designed to raise funds for the National Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund, which supports the education, technology, and research projects of the NFB Jernigan Institute, as well as programs conducted by the fifty-two affiliates and over seven hundred local chapters of the Federation.  The Race for Independence will also bring public attention to the need for full and equal access for blind Americans to modern technology, in everything from home appliances to automobiles.  

 

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The Imagination Fund represents the hopes and aspirations of blind Americans.  Through this effort we are able to create innovative research, training, education, and technology programs that improve the lives of the blind and move us closer to our ultimate goal of full integration into society on a basis of equality.  The crisis in Braille literacy for blind children and advances in technology that, if not properly designed, will threaten the independence of the blind mean that time is of the essence.  But I am confident that with the help of our members and friends, we will ensure that blind children are literate and can pursue the 

career of their choice; that blind people have access to cutting-edge technology; and that opportunities for all blind Americans are limited only by our capacity to dream.  I am certain that friendly competition among our affiliates will dramatically increase the number of Imaginators participating in this important effort."

 

Parnell Diggs, chairman of the NFB Imagination Fund, said; "It is crucial that we register as many Imaginators as possible by the end of March to put us in the best possible position to maximize the success of the 2010 campaign.  We will then have three full months before our convention in Dallas to put the pedal to the metal and solicit donations. Let's race!"

 

To sign up to be an Imaginator and help build the Imagination Fund, please visit www.raceforindependence.org or call (410) 659-9314, extension 2371.

 

 

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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.   The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.