Project R.E.C.

Welcome to Project R.E.C., a two-tiered awareness and fundraising activity presented by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. In honor of Blind Equality and Achievement Month, the NFB of Michigan is committed to furthering the work of the Federation through providing programs, opportunities, resources, and activities for blind Michiganders to live the lives they want. This year, the success of the American Paralympic goal ball team motivated blind Americans to get active and go for their goals in health and recreation. Our affiliate recognizes the importance of self-care, especially in the midst of a global pandemic that provides even more barriers to sports and recreation for the blind. In response to these needs, the NFB of Michigan is happy to announce the production and future addition of a statewide Sports and Recreation Division whose mission is to increase sports and wellness opportunities for our membership and interested parties. Read below for how you can get involved:

The Premise

The NFB of Michigan hopes to charter a Sports and Recreation division that can create activities and pathways to fitness and health in the near future. Our objective is to create this division by our annual state convention in November 2022. To celebrate the induction of this division into our affiliate, we have commissioned a statewide goal ball league, consisting of four teams owned by four leaders of the Federation. These teams will participate in our inaugural goal ball tournament next year, sponsored by the efforts of the division and our state fundraising committee. The champion team will then go on to face other teams of other NFB state affiliates. This is where you can help. Our four team owners are hard at work soliciting donations for the cost to put on such an event and could use the help of each of you to secure its success. From Friday, October 1 until Saturday, November 13, our team owners will be looking for you to share this fundraiser with your community, family, and friends, as well as pledge a donation to support a team. The funds generated from this fundraiser covers:

  • Cost of Equipment for the Tournament
  • Recruitment and Practice Location Use
  • Personnel Expenses for the Activities
  • Travel Expenses for Champion Team’s Inter-Affiliate Match
  • Future Sports and Recreation Programs Throughout the Year

How to Participate

Donating to this cause is very easy. Simply click the link to the Google Form below. After doing so, complete the donation form. Be sure to indicate which team you intend to pledge to. Pledges cost $5 and donors are able to donate as many times as they choose. Donors can also pledge to support more than one team if they choose. After completing the pledge form, please use the PayPal link to submit your payment to the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. At the moment, PayPal is the preferred method of payment, but you are welcomed to reach out to one of the team owners listed below and provide them with the payment. Once they receive this, they will be tasked with submitting the payment to our state affiliate. It is only once the payment is received that you will be counted as a donor and your pledge will be recognized.

The Teams

Our four team owners are all dedicated to expanding the work of our affiliate and the national organization. Our pledge, to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind of Michigan, is always taken seriously, but that does not mean that we cannot get competitive. We invite you to support the team that best fits your interests. The team names and their respective owners are listed below:

  1. The Marauders: Mike Powell (President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan)
  2. The Sparks: Jennifer Kennedy (Executive Director, BLIND, Inc.)
  3. The Navigators: KaShonia Graham (Detroit Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan)
  4. The Chunky Chargers: Robert Parsons (Board Member. National Federation of the Blind of Michigan)

Prizes

It would not be a Federation event if we did not offer prizes for competitors. This year, we have received generous donations from various partners that are excited to see the blind become more active. Our prizes have been designated for both donors and team owners for their efforts. There are also prizes that are designed for specific fundraising benchmarks that have been reached. They are:

  1. Visio 55-inch Television (Awarded to the donor that pledges the highest amount)
  2. Gourmet Chocolate Cheesecake (Awarded to the team owner that raises the highest amount)
  3. Echo Dot Speaker (Awarded to the Donor Whose Pledge Brings the Fundraiser Total Past $100)
  4. Gourmet Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (Awarded to the Donor Whose Pledge Brings the Fundraiser Total Past $500)
  5. Google Nest Speaker (Awarded to the Donor Whose Pledge Brings the Fundraising Total Past $1000)

Contact Information

Questions? Concerns? No worries, we are always here to assist you in understanding the fundraiser, its goal, and why it is so important to educate the world on Blind Equality and Achievement Month. For more information about this event and future fundraising endeavors, please contact Robert Parsons at Robert.E.Parsons@wmich.edu or (804) 801-7674. We thank you in advance for the support and can’t wait to spread the word about this exciting opportunity and future activities. With love, hope and determination, the NFB of Michigan aims to turn this dream into a reality. Let’s go build the Federation!

Project R.E.C. Form: https://forms.gle/6xCw2jUNMP5YvcaR9
NFBMI PayPal Link: https://www.nfbmi.org/contribution-opportunities/online-donations