News!!

 REPORT FROM DALLAS

In Dallas, Texas, over 2400 members of the National Federation of the Blind gathered for the annual convention. Fr. John Sheehan, SJ was one of the speakers to the whole convention, and Kathleen Lynch addressed the Blind Communities of Faith division. We had a table at the exhibit hall, and passed out copies of the Mass Propers at the Sunday Mass in one of the ballrooms. We met many clients, and made important contacts with agencies and individuals that will help us better serve our clients and reach out to new ones.

Mr. Andy Virdin has been a client of the Xavier Society for the Blind since 1951.

Donald Salvato and Kathleen Lynch at the Xavier Society for the Blind table in the Exhibition Hall.

Father John Sheehan, SJ addresses the convention in Dallas.

FATHER JOHN LOOKS YOUNGER

At least that's what some people think. At our recent fund-raising event, he said that if we raised $5,000 for the project, he would shave his beard (for the first time since 1986). We raised the money, and on May 24, off it went. He had also said that if we raised another $5,000 he would shave his head, but that didn't happen. I think he is relieved. (I wonder if they will allow him on an airplane, now that his face doesn't match his driver's license.)

TWO NEW FACES AT XSB

We are pleased to welcome Mr. Rick Kenney as our Director of Special Projects. Formerly the Executive Director of the New York chapter of the Navy League, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in organizing and planning special events and outreach programs. One of his first assignments will be to extend the Veterans Outreach Program, our effort to make our facilities and services available to veterans all around the country.

NFL RAFFLE NOW OPEN

HELP RAISE MONEY BY BROWSING

The Xavier Society for the Blind has signed up with GoodSearch and GoodShop as a registered charity. These services are associated with Yahoo, and once you indicate that Xavier Society is your designated charity, each time you do an on-line search, we receive one cent. Each time you buy something (at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy or any of the over 600 merchants in the program), we get a percentage. No cost to you, but it could be a great help to us.

Please tell your friends, and sign up to help the Xavier Society. You can find more information at www.GoodSearch.com and www.GoodShop.com Be sure and indicate that Xavier Society for the Blind is your designated charity. Thank you in advance for your help!

MASS CARDS AVAILABLE

A number of people have requested Mass cards and we have heard their requests and are pleased to announce that Mass cards are now available for both the deceased and for the intentions of the living.

HELP THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

In just seconds each day, you can help promote the need for blind students to receive the same education as their sighted classmates. Vote today and every day in September for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Youth Slam in the Pepsi Refresh project. The top two vote-getters receive $250,000 for their projects each month, however the top 100 roll over to the next month for another chance to reach the top. Currently at 21, the NFB is in good position to win this month if we can get out the vote.

 

There are three ways to vote every day, and you are encouraged to use as many of these ways as you can to vote each day. That’s a total of 90 votes that you can use to support equality in the classroom. Here are the three ways to vote each day:

 

  1. Text Message: Simply put the number 101913 into the body of a text, and send that text to 73774. *Standard text-messaging rates apply
  2. Go to www.refresheverything.com/nfbyouthslam, click the link to vote, and then choose the log in using Facebook option. Once you’re successfully logged in, click the vote button on our page again and the vote link will disappear and you'll have logged your vote!
  3. Go to www.refresheverything.com/nfbyouthslam, click the link to vote, and then choose the sign in directly with Pepsi option.

 

More information about the program can be found by clicking the link above, including an excellent 3-minute video summary of the Youth Slam with interviews with participants and staff. Please share this important opportunity with your networks on Facebook, Twitter, as well as e-mail contacts. Thank you for your support, and for voting every day in September or until the NFB receives the grant!

 

Once again, we have the privilege of being a designated charity of the NFL. Only 250 tickets are available, at a cost of $100 per ticket. Drawing will take place on October 4th.
 
First Prize:
 2 tickets to the Superbowl
on February 6th in Dallas, Texas
Airfare for two
Four nights lodging
2 tickets to the NFL Alumni's
Player of the Year Awards Dinner
Second Prize: $1,000
Third Prize: $500
 
You may purchase tickets:
1) By ordering and paying for your ticket (or tickets) online with our secure server right here on the website.
2) By sending a check to us at 154 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
3) By calling Margaret at (212) 473-7800 and giving your credit card info over the phone.
 
Tickets are already being sold so don't wait to order. You have a 3 in 250 chance of winning something.