Want to Help ACB Diabetics in Action?
I hope that you all have had a fabulous summer and are ready for fall. Would you like to help make a difference in ACB and ACB Diabetics in Action? The MMS Program is just one way you can do that.
ACB’s Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program gives you a way to support the American Council of the Blind. You determine the amount you want to give, where you would like the deduction to be taken from, and whether you would like the donation to be made on the 8th or 22nd of the month. The minimum donation is $10.
You also can choose whether you’d like to have all funds go to the national organization or give up to 50% of your donation to an affiliate of your choice. To fill out the form online, visit /mms-form. If you need a paper copy, call ACB’s Minnesota office at (612) 332-3242.
Join the Family for 2019!
Blindness is a part of almost every family, so we hope you will join ACB Families or renew your membership for 2019.
- We provide information, peer support and friendship for anyone whose family includes blindness or low vision.
- We hold board and membership calls featuring presentations on everything from personal finance to gift-giving, and we hold peer support calls where participants can ask questions or share information on just about anything blindness- or family-related. We hold board and membership calls on second Sundays and peer support calls on fourth Sundays. All calls begin at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific. Join by dialing (712) 432-3900, passcode 796096#.
- At each year’s ACB conference, we hold our annual business meeting and breakfast as well as other family-friendly activities. Can you say Bingo?
- We sponsor a Facebook page and an email list where members can learn and share with each other.
To join, or to renew your membership, send an email to [email protected]. Include your name, mailing address, date of birth, visual status, and preferred format for “The ACB Braille Forum.” To pay by credit or debit card, call (502) 897-1472. You may pay online by going to www.paypal.com and paying $8 to [email protected]. To pay by mail, send a note with the information listed above and a check or money order for $8, payable to ACB Families, to: ACB Families, 148 Vernon Ave., Louisville, KY 40206.
If you join or renew your membership by Nov. 20, you will be entered into a drawing for one of two $50 gift cards. And if you join us for our Nov. 25 peer support call, you’ll be entered into a separate drawing for an additional $25. Now that’s how to get a jump on your holiday spending!
Low Vision Scholarships from CCLVI
Low-vision students have a unique opportunity to receive financial assistance for full-time college studies through the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) Scheigert scholarship program. Three eligible applicants — an incoming freshman, an undergraduate and a graduate student — will each be awarded a $3,000 scholarship. The application period opens Jan. 1, 2019 and closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on March 15.
For a description of the program, guidelines, reimbursement policy and low vision certification
requirements, go to www.cclvi.org and click on Scheigert Scholarship. If you have questions, call 1-844-460-0625.
South Dakota Association of the Blind 2018 Convention Highlights
The South Dakota Association of the Blind’s 2018 convention was held Sept. 7-8 at the Country Inn & Suites in Sioux Falls. Dr. Pat Kelly was our keynote speaker. He told us about himself and talked about the struggles he has gone through in his life.
Gaye Mattke, director of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired, held a public forum, along with staffers Dawn Backer, Sandy Neyhart, Raymond Tracy, and Ronda Williams. Connie Sullivan from the state library gave an update on library services.
On Saturday, we started the day with Laughing Yoga, led by Dan and Jill Johnson from Joyful Living. Tevan Fischbach updated us on the plans for the new school in Aberdeen. Shelly Pfaff then led us into a discussion of how we have integrated ourselves into the sighted world. We also heard a discussion on transportation, led by Shelly Pfaff, with panelists Doug Puetz, Brenda Schweitzer, and Sam Trebilcock. Our luncheon/banquet featured entertainment by the Sweet Adelines-Sound Cascade Chorus, including our own Lerae Olesen.
Koni Sims received the Gus Zachte Memorial Award for her many years of dedicated service to the blind and visually impaired of South Dakota. Gaye Mattke told stories about the SDAB traveling bear. Eric Rippentrop then auctioned off the bear to the highest bidder — Nick Pavel.
SDAB’s new officers are: president, Koni Sims; first vice president, Virginia Miller; second vice president, Eric Rippentrop; secretary, Lerae Olesen; treasurer, Lisa Rippentrop. Doug Puetz and Tevan Fischbach were re-elected to the board for three-year terms. Jackie Shepherd was elected to finish out two years of Eric’s term. Catherine Greseth was elected to finish out the last year of Koni’s term on the board. For more information, and photos, visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/sdassociationoftheblind/.