by Ralph Sanders
The National Educational and Legal Defense Services for the Blind (NELDS) continues to work to support attendance at the ACB convention while raising funds to assist blind and visually impaired individuals to gain rights through educational and legal activities.
NELDS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization which is dedicated to assisting blind and visually impaired individuals to gain their rights guaranteed by the Constitution, or federal and state laws. The organization works to support programs and activities of the ACB, explains board president Charlie Hodge. NELDS was founded in the early 1990s by Durward McDaniel.
The 11-member board of directors includes Charlie Hodge, chair of the board of publications, ACB President Chris Gray, ACB immediate past president Paul Edwards, ACB first vice president Steve Speicher, ACB secretary Donna Seliger, Margarine Beaman of Texas, Terri Lynne Pomeroy of Utah, Carla Ruschival from Kentucky, Ralph Sanders from Washington, Sandy Sanderson of Alaska and Jeff Thom from California.
NELDS holds an annual drawing at the end of the ACB mid-year board meeting. First prize is round trip airfare for two to the site of the upcoming annual convention. Second prize is a hotel room at the convention for five days stay. Third prize is two tickets to the ACB banquet.
To become eligible for the 2004 prizes, make a $5 contribution to NELDS. For more information, please contact Ralph Sanders at (360) 892-9229, or Donna Seliger at (515) 284- 0505.