Affiliate News

Affiliates, is your convention coming up? Has your state or local chapter done something new, interesting, or newsworthy, such as elected new officers, run a half-marathon or marathon, or created a new outreach program throughout your state? Send your information to Sharon Lovering, slovering@acb.org, and your news could appear here!

Illinois' Dots for Tots

The Illinois Council of the Blind recently received a generous donation to get its Dots for Tots Program up and running. There are several children in the program. We are reaching out to other children and families around the state. Program requirements are that the child live in the state of Illinois, be either blind or visually impaired and be between the ages of 4 and 14. The children and their parents pick 3 books a year. We will choose a book for them, age-appropriate of course, for their birthday each year.

If you know of a child who qualifies, please let their parents know about the program. You or the child's parent or guardian can contact either Marla Chorney at (847) 848-6562 or Maggie Ulrich, Illinois Council office manager, at (217) 523-4967. We will answer any questions and send them information.

We are very excited about getting books out to the children that are already signed up with the program. Reading will open worlds they would otherwise never have. They can travel to far-off places, learn about all the different kinds of animals, go back in time and learn about people who have shaped the world as we know it.

Reach for the Stars in Michigan

The Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) will hold its 38th annual convention Oct. 6-9 at the Causeway Bay Hotel and Conference Center in Lansing. The convention theme will be "Reach for the Stars!" Features include a riverboat cruise, great programs, auction, banquet and business meeting. Oh, and yes, we'll be welcoming ACB president Mitch Pomerantz. For information or registration, call Casey and Sharon Dutmer at 1-877-254-6393.

Missouri Convention

The Missouri Council of the Blind will hold its annual convention Oct. 13-16 at the Holiday Inn in Joplin. To make your hotel reservation, phone (417) 782-1000. For more convention information, contact the Missouri office by e-mail, aa@moblind.org, or by phone at (314) 832-7172 or 1-800-342-5632 (in-state only).

California Convention in Los Angeles

The California Council of the Blind will hold its fall convention Oct. 26-30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, 5985 W. Century Blvd., in Los Angeles. For reservations,
call 1-800-227-6963. For registration details, contact the California office at (916) 441-2100 or 1-800-221-6359 (in-state only).