Happy New Year to All
It is hard to believe that we are in 2015 already. The board will soon start working on the conference/convention in Dallas. If anyone has any suggestions about speakers, panel discussions, topics of interest, etc., please let me know. Remember, this affiliate belongs to you members, not just the board.
Now is also the time to renew your membership! Dues are just $10 per year. Send them to our treasurer, Alice Ritchhart, at 139 Altama Connector, Suite 188, Brunswick, GA 31525. Please get your dues to her by Feb. 1, and include your name, address, e-mail, phone number and newsletter format (e-mail, large print, braille or cassette).
This is a great time for those of you who are diabetics or have a family member who is or just interested in diabetes to join our affiliate. I hope to see a lot of new names on our membership list! Let’s make this affiliate one of the greatest affiliates in ACB!
Best wishes to all in 2015!
New Affiliate for Those with Cerebral Palsy
Alexander Scott Kaiser is a young blind adult with cerebral palsy. He needs your help to start a special-interest affiliate for blind and visually impaired individuals who have cerebral palsy. His goals in forming an affiliate are to provide socialization, support, education, fellowship, information, advice, mentoring, and legal advocacy. From problem-solving and rehabilitation training issues to civil rights challenges unique to those with physical impairments and blindness/visual impairment, this affiliate will provide support from others who understand.
Meetings will be held by conference call on the last Saturday of the month, starting Jan. 31, 2015, at 9:59 p.m. Eastern time. To access the conference, dial (567) 704-1512 and use access code 999999#. If you are interested in joining, contact Alexander Scott Kaiser, 52 Meadowbrook Rd., Brick Township, NJ 08723-7850; send e-mail to alexander.scott.kaiser@bluebottle.com, or call him at (848) 205-0208. He would like to hold an in-person meeting at the 2015 conference and convention.
Take the Cruise of a Lifetime, and Assist Guide Dog Users, Inc.
GDUI has recently signed a contract with Dave Kronk of Travel One to organize and conduct an exciting cruise for us. The cruise will depart Dec. 5, 2015 and return Dec. 12, 2015.
Where will we go? Our ship, the Carnival Valor, will depart from Port Canaveral, Fla., and go through the Caribbean, with ports of call in Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk.
This expedition will be sailing at the perfect time to allow us to do a little shopping for the 2015 holiday season, while at the same time giving us an opportunity to help GDUI. One of the many nice benefits of this particular package is that should a traveler wish, he or she may make monthly payments.
Prices are as follows: interior cabin, $866.53; private balcony cabin, $1,116.53. All rates include 7-day cruise, port charges, taxes and gratuities. To book your vacation and help GDUI, call Dave Kronk at (618) 409-0143 or e-mail him at dkronk@htc.net.
We look forward to meeting many of you aboard!