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BVIC News and Events

• Birdies for Charity 2012
• The Association of Blind Citizens: Assistive Technology Fund
• An Opportunity to Run, Swim, Bike
• Internet Shoppers
• Support Group Highlights

Bidies for Charity 2012

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOLF AND WANT TO SUPPORT THE BVIC

Birdies for Charity  is an exciting opportunity for both through the 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament. Hosted by Monterey Peninsula Foundation (MPF) BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED CENTER

For Every Dollar Donated We Receive

• 15% match! - That means every $100 pledge will result in $115 donation to the BVIC! TO PARTICIPATE:
• Guess how many “Birdies” will occur during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am Golf Tournament from February 9-12, 2012.
• Fill out a pledge form or make a flat donation.
• Once the official BFC Pledge Form is complete, submit it to the soliciting charity.
• A downloadable version is available on the “Birdies” website. Important Dates and Timeline
• Charity Shoot-Out Qualifier January 21, 2012
• SF 49ers vs. SF Giants Charity Shoot-Out February 7, 2012
• Guess the Birdies deadline February 8, 2012
• Tournament Dates February 9-12, 2012

 Birdies for Charity link to online pledge form

GRAND PRIZE:
One lucky person who guesses the correct number of birdies scored by PGA TOUR

Players during official tournament play at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
Will receive the Grand Prize of:
Two United Airline Tickets (up to $500 each) and
One night stay at The Inn at Spanish Bay and golf for two at The Links

Any questions please email to www.blindandlowvision.org  or see us on our BVIC Facebook page

The Association of Blind Citizens: Assistive Technology Fund

Operated by the Association of Blind Citizens, the fund provides financial resources to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. Products covered by this program retail for a minimum of $200 and a Maximum of $6,000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000. Applications must be submitted by June 30th and December 31st for each grant period (two per year). Applicants may submit one request per calendar year. All applications must be submitted via e-mail. The ATF is limited to U.S. residents who are legally blind. Follow this link for more information and instructions about the ATF. Assistive Technology Fund

Internet Shoppers

WE PUT THE FUN BACK INTO FUNDRAISING!!

We’re excited to bring you two fast and easy ways to donate to your favorite charity, the
BVIC.   Doing two things many of us love to do – Search the WEB and SHOP online. The BVIC is registered on eScrip and GoodSearch, two Internet sites that help non-profits.  Even if you are not a computer user you can help by spreading  the word to family and friends!

GoodSearch
Use www.goodsearch.com  as your search engine. For each search GoodSearch will make a donation to the BVIC.  All you have to do is register at www.GoodSearch.com and select Blind and Visually Impaired Center-BVIC from the drop-down menu. Then search away….

The site also offers GoodShop where you can find coupons & discounts for over 1,000 stores. PLUS, the added bonus of money being donated to the BVIC while you search or shop. For example Macy’s gifting is 1.5 to 2.5%, Best Buy 2.5% and Pet Smart can be 4 to 7.5%.  You can even add GoodSearch to your toolbar or on your website.

eScrip
eScrip and hundreds of merchant partners have created a system that rewards customer loyalty by contributing a percentage of purchases to a chosen group, BVIC.

Online Registration –
Visit www.eScrip.com  and register in the program. It only takes a few minutes and from then on shop with eScrip merchants - automatically!   Registration is fast and easy.    Steps for supporter registration:

• Select Group being supported. Please enter: Blind-Visually Impaired Ctr Monterey Co. This will bring up the BVIC’s name and address. Click on that and continue your registration.
• Enter your information, name and add If you have a grocery or community card you may enter that to keep on file.
• Or you may choose to enter a credit or debit card.
• Retail credit cards are also accepted.
  FYI: You must choose from one of the options above to finalize the registration process.
• Confirmation of information.

You are DONE!! Happy trails to you!

Support Group Highlights

The  Low Vision Support Group held at the Carmel Foundation is changing its meeting to the second Monday of every month (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.).  Janet Louise Wilson facilitates the group for the Blind & Visually Impaired Center.   The group will continue to meet upstairs in the Blanchard Building and we invite you to have lunch together afterwards in the dining hall.

November 14, 2011

The next meeting, Monday, November 14th, at 11:00 a.m.  will start with a discussion about  two recent conferences, the national conference of the American Council for the Blind, and the California Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, What’s new in technology, What’s the latest Legislative Update?, and what’s it like to be at a conference where over two hundred dog guides  show up to work?

December 12, 2011

Carmela Cantisani will be our guest speaker for our December 12th meeting.  Carmela is a former instructor at DLI, a downhill ski champion, ENTREPRENEUR, and dog guide user. She will talk about organizations of the blind and attitudes and perspectives on blindness.