December 22, 2024

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 2002

843-939-8091  president@nfbofsc.org

 

Dear Federation Family,

 

It is Christmas week for those who celebrate it and I completed my last Christmas party at church earlier this evening. Including work, church and National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, I have attended six Christmas parties! It is slightly overwhelming. The week will be quiet within the NFB of SC as committees and divisions have cancelled their meetings. Please enjoy this special time with family, friends, and those who make you happy. From my home to yours, I wish you all a very merry Christmas!

 

From Jamie Allison, President of the Cherokee Chapter:

Our chapter had a low-key Christmas get-together on December 7. We had it that early in the month due to the fact that we took a group from our chapter to Anderson's banquet on the 13th and did not want to have ours too close in proximity to theirs. We also chose to use a restaurant for it since the senior center was booked that day. It was well-attended and everyone had a wonderful time. The chapter also had a small group in the Christmas parade here in Gaffney on December 6th as well. Due to sickness and the presence of the cold weather, our group was much smaller than it had been, but the chapter was represented and had a beautiful entry.

 

From NFB of SC Secretary, Shannon Cook:

Thanks to Jonathan Bundy for driving us, our small group of Columbia  Chapter members attended the Anderson Chapter Christmas Party on December 13 at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn. Andrew Adams, David Bundy, Shannon Cook and Steve Cook made their way to the Upstate to join Anderson, Cherokee, and other chapters who were also in attendance. About 80 people congregated to celebrate. A delicious meal was served. Door prizes were given out throughout the meeting. We were graced with beautiful carols sung by chapter and community members. Demetrius and Kimberly Williford were a great team that kept the program on track. Kim shared the NFB Pledge and the One-Minute Message. Malaya Reece, chapter secretary, read scripture from the book of Luke that told the story of Jesus’s birth. Shannon Cook, Secretary of the NFB of SC gave the keynote address on the history of the Federation and the uncrushable spirit of blind people to lead our lives as we decide. Loretta Watts motivated the crowd with a rousing short message of inspiration reminding us that we don’t have to be happy all of the time to have joy in our hearts. She said when we have joy in our hearts, we can’t help but to share our joy with the world. Demetrius ended the meeting by telling his personal story of hope, friendship, and faith that related to his change of jobs over the past few years. There was a great spirit of love and support among those who were there. It was a chapter Christmas party that felt more like a close family gathering. Thanks to everyone for giving us such a great memory.

 

From Sarah Massengale, District Six Representative:

On December twenty-first I attended the Clarendon County Chapter Christmas party. As many of you may know, Clarendon is my home chapter, though I’ve been away for some time attending meetings via Zoom while living and working in Columbia. The annual Christmas party was, in many ways, a homecoming for me. Our small but mighty chapter had twenty party attendees, including members, visitors, and even seven young children. We gathered at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Manning, and the Reverend Terry Johnson, who leads the congregation, offered a moving devotion about God’s gift that brought immense joy and excitement to everyone. We enjoyed fantastic food and fellowship, and I had a wonderful time leading carol singing alongside President Marty McKenzie. It was lovely to share this winter afternoon with my Federation family.

 

From David Houck, Executive Director of the Federation Center

The Federation Center of the Blind will be closed Tuesday through Thursday, December 24-26 for Christmas. We will be in on Monday and Friday. We will also be closed on Wednesday, January 1 for New Year's Day.

 

Invest in dignity: Every dollar you give doubles

The NFB matching gift challenge to advance the lives of blind people

Dignity is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is committed to advancing the lives of blind people, but they need your help. When you give, you help build understanding, respect, and opportunities for all blind people to live the lives they want.

 

This is why we at HumanWare are happy to participate again in the NFB matching campaign, where every dollar given doubles between October 1 and the end of 2024.

Three ways to give and double your dollars:

•Give online: nfb.org/donate

•Mail a check to: National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

•Contribute by phone: Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430, to donate using a credit card.

Stay tuned: More matching campaign activities and updates

From Thom Spittle, Chairman of RBRCCB

October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 is the Friends of Rocky Bottom Campaign. This is the time when we raise money for the general fund to get us through the winter. We have various levels of giving, $50, $100, $250, $500, and $1000+. This is not only for NFB members, you can reach out to local businesses and individuals that would like to help out during this yearly act of giving. A thank you gift will accompany each giving level. Please donate and promote this fundraiser!

 

From the Senior Division

The NFB of SC Senior division is currently selling tickets for a deluxe kitchen gift basket. The drawing for this great prize will be held at the Statewide Seminar on January 4, 2025. The gift basket is worth approximately $425. A few of the items in the basket include a Talking food scale, a Talking meat thermometer with WIFI, an Insta-pot with Wi-Fi and many other practical kitchen aids. Tickets will be one for $5 or three for $10. If you would like to purchase tickets, you can contact me, Shelley Coppel, at 803-796-8662 or 303-819-9795. My email address is frankandshelley51@gmail.com. Monies raised from this fundraiser will help to support our efforts to resume Senior camp.

 

The Statewide Seminar will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding no later than 4:00 p.m. There will also be a Rocky Bottom auction throughout the day, so gather items for this fundraiser. There is already a men’s and women’s basket donated by Harold and Olivia Anderson that will be auctioned off.

 

From Andrew Adams, District 2 Representative

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina invites you to its annual Sweetheart Ball on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Kathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center. Tickets are $30 per person or $240 per table. Tickets can be purchased by: 1) Sending a check or money order to: Federation Center, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205; 2) Using NFB of SC PayPal and including “Sweetheart Ball” in the memo field. This is a wonderful opportunity to fellowship and enjoy a special evening. Don’t miss out!

 

From Belinda Banks, President of the Blind Merchants Division

The Blind Merchants Division of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is back with our 2025 Sweethearts Sale! We are selling boutonnieres and corsages for the Sweethearts Ball located  at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center. Boutonnieres are $15 and Corsages are $20. Purchase both for a special price of $30. This is a pre-sale event, so please make your purchase before February 1, 2025. For more information or to place an order, please contact Belinda Banks, President of the Blind Merchants Division. We will also be taking money at our Statewide Seminar on January 4, 2025.

 

It is time for chapters and divisions to send in your dues to the state office for 2025. Please provide a list of names with the check. If you have new members that joined this year, please send in their contact information as well as other information we need for our records and for the Membership Portal. For assistance with this, contact Thom Spittle, Membership and Mentoring Chair, at (803-331-3344 or via e-mail at membership@nfbofsc.or. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

 

From Frank Loza, District 3 Representative:

Federation family, the cold weather is here, and it’s time to get your NFB of SC jackets! There are two styles: a Microfiber that comes in black or Blue in sizes small to 4x and  a Polyester Blend that comes in black, blue and gray in sizes small to 5x. On the back of the jacket is our national logo with the text National Federation of the Blind and “Live the Life You Want.” On the left front side are the words NFB of SC. If another state would like one of these jackets, they can be created. The logo and lettering are embroidered, so they can be felt. The Microfiber is $80 and the Polyester blend is $70. If you have any questions, call Frank Loza at 803-617-8016. You can pay by check, money order, PayPal or Zelle. If you pay by PayPal or Zelle, you will make the payment to my email, which is floza58@bellsouth.net.

 

From Steve Cook

We have exciting news!  The NFB of SC now has a dedicated announce-only list.  This list is for people who want only the NFB of SC news and announcements without chatter. It will include our weekly Positive Notes and The Palmetto Blind publications throughout the year. To subscribe, send a message to: nfbofsc-newsletters-subscribe@nfbnet.org. Please share with everyone!

 

 

Things to remember

• Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser concluding by December 31, 2024
• State dues submitted by December 31, 2024
• Banquet pledges due by December 31, 2024
• Invest in dignity: Every dollar you give doubles – December 31, 2024
• Senior Division Kitchen Basket Fundraiser – January 4, 2025
• Statewide Seminar on January 4, 2025
• Sweethearts’ Ball on February 14, 2025

 

 

Marty

 

Marty R. McKenzie, President

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

119 S. Kilbourne Road

Columbia, SC 29205

Phone: 803-254-3777

Mobile: 843-939-8091

Website: www.nfbofsc.org