In Touch Newsletter - Seedlings Braille Books for Children

Summer 2015
www.seedlings.org
••• In Touch Newsletter
Seedlings Braille Books for
Children is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit, tax-exempt
organization dedicated to
increasing the opportunity
for literacy by providing high
quality, low cost children’s
literature in braille.
Bowling for Braille Books 2015
A Huge Success
There was a synergy at Plaza Lanes that day—it was
palpable, as the bowlers and supporters assembled
for a day that was described more times than I can
count as “a real blast.”
Sponsor banners were hung by the
alleys with care
The 28th annual Bowling for Braille Books event was presented by Cole, Newton &
Duran, CPA’s; Livonia Builders; Plymouth Lions; and Valassis (see page 2 for a
complete listing of sponsors and supporters).
2015 Board of Directors
Jerry Bricker-President
Gretchen Alaniz
Mark Bosscher
Arthur Cole
Ann Devereux
Katie Dodge
Paula Korelitz
Sharon Marsh
Sarah Saltzman
Cheryl Shewach
Jared Stofflett
Sue Ward
Seedlings managed to break several records this year! We had more bowlers than
ever before, more sponsors than ever before, and we raised more money than ever
before. So many people came together, to have a good time and work for a common
goal—raising money to make braille books! As we always say,
every $10 makes another braille book possible. We cleared
nearly $36,000 this year. The money from this event will
certainly help Seedlings put a smile on the faces of a lot of
children who are the recipients of those books.
Our celebrity bowler, Dave Rexroth, WXYZ TV Channel 7 Chief
Meteorologist was a delightful person! He was always pausing to
chat with the crowd and sign autographs for his waiting fans! A
cameraman from the station came to film at the event so
Seedlings was featured on Channel 7’s 6:00, 7:00 and 11:00 pm
news on that day, as well as Channel 20’s
10:00 pm news. Visit Seedlings’ website to
see the video.
Celebrity bowler, Channel 7’s, Dave Rexroth
with braille reader
Avery Devereux
What was really inspiring about the event
was the good old-fashion fun it produced—
the laughter and high fives abounded, and
seeing the community come together to
share its love of reading and help hundreds
upon hundreds of blind and visually impaired
children with the wonderful gift of literacy.
Tiffany Taylor being interviewed by Dave
Rexroth
THAT made the success even sweeter!
“Placing a book in a child’s hands
is like planting a seed.
Mark your calendars! Next year’s Bowling for Braille Books event will be
March 12, 2016.
Seedlings Thanks its 2015 Bowling for Braille Books Sponsors
Headlining Sponsors
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Prize Contributors
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Program Sponsors
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Livonia MetroPlex, LLC
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SMITH & Associates
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UPS
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T-Shirt Sponsors
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Bright House Networks
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Livonia Lions Club
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Pipefitters Local Union 636
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Westland Lions
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Lane Sponsors
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Aadvise Consulting, LLC
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AlphaUSA
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American Thermoform Corporation
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Associated Retinal Consultants
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Blackwell Ford, Inc.
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John & Janis Burkhardt
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Consolidated Document Solutions
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Darling Ingredients, Inc.
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Dearborn Heights Lions Club
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Educational Visions Alliance
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Enhanced Vision
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Foresters
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Financial & Portfolio Advisors
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FoleyPLEX LLC
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Jimmy John’s, Livonia & Plymouth
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Jill & Denny Kapp in Memory of Elmer Kapp
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Kennedy Industries, Inc.
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Kiwanis Early Risers
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Larry’s Performance RC’s
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Livonia AM Rotary Club
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Livonia Chamber of Commerce
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Livonia Kids & Families
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Plymouth Lions Club
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RFT Search Group
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Schoolcraft College
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Cheryl Shewach in memory of Melvyn D. Shewach
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Suburban Eye Care
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Rick and Erin Swaine
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The UPS Store-5 Mile & Newburgh Rd.
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Wolverine Orthotics, Inc.
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Women’s National Book Association–Detroit Chapter 
Cole, Newton & Duran, CPA’s
Livonia Builders
Plymouth Lions Club
Valassis
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1 Under
ABC Warehouse
Absopure
Gretchen Alaniz
American Girl
Ann Arbor Hands On Museum
Baskets and More
Bee’s Knees Pottery
Blue Plate Diner
BYrd Watches & Apparel
Cardwell Florist
Carole Edwards
Costco Wholesale
Daly Restaurants
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Tigers
Detroit Zoological Society
Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
Emagine Theatre
Embassy Suites Hotel
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Judi Glatfelter
Golden Gifts Jewelers
J. Alexander’s Corporation
Jax Kar Wash
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
Karl’s Cabin Restaurant
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
Kings Island
Larry’s Performance RC’s
Lesnau Printing
Livonia Civic Chorus
Livonia Lions Club
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Sharon Marsh
Marston Optometry P. C.
Michigan Theater Foundation, Inc.
Minds Eyedeas, LLC
Molly Maid
Obregon Family Dentistry
Papa Vino’s/Quality Dining
Penn Theatre
Plaza Lanes
Prime Massage
Purple Rose Theatre
Read It Again Books
Riverwalk Theatre
RL Coolsaet Construction
Cheryl Shewach
Southwest Airlines
Terry’s English Toffee
The Ark
The Farmington Players
The Henry Ford-America’s Greatest History Attraction
T-Mobile
University Musical Society
Sue Ward
Wayne State University
Weber’s Inn
News and Information
Seedlings Making the Change to UEB
A change is coming to the braille code and Seedlings is working to make the changes necessary to its inventory.
In November 2012, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) voted to adopt the Universal English Braille Code
(UEB) as the official code for the United States. This means the United States will now be joining several other
countries (Canada and Australia, for example) that previously adopted the new code. While the implementation date
for the U.S. is scheduled for January 4, 2016, Seedlings will begin making the conversion to the new code in 2015.
“Our plan is to start with our books for younger children,” explained Seedlings’ Director, Debra Bonde. “We will then
work our way up to our bigger books. As the change is made to a book Seedlings will be sure to mark the book as UEBcompliant. Please bear with us during this process!”
If you’d like more information about the UEB, visit:
www.brailleauthority.org
Debra assured, “Just as we have in the past, the Seedlings staff is committed to working hard to give ‘our kids,’ highquality, low-cost children’s books in braille!“
Seedlings Braille Books for
Children had a record April with
the distribution of 3,000 books!
Seedlings Braille Books for
Children had a record May with
the distribution of 2,571 books!
Here's a really easy way to help Seedlings Braille Books for Children get
braille books in the hands of "Our Kids". . .
If you live in Michigan, here’s a great way to help Seedlings Settings. Seedlings' non-profit
Braille Books for Children and it’s not necessary to do
organization (NPO) # is 82491.
anything different than you normally do! We all need to
grocery shop!
Please keep in mind that every $10
we raise makes another braille book
By shopping at Kroger, and enrolling in Kroger's
for a blind child! The Kroger Rewards
Community Rewards program, each time your "Plus Card" Program is a valuable tool for us! Last
is swiped, Seedlings can earn money from your purchase! year approximately $1700 was raised
Note: Re-enrollment is necessary each year.
through the program. That's 170
additional books Seedlings was able
Here are the easy steps to follow to have your purchases to make and distribute to our braille
readers because of this simple, very
help Seedlings:
effective, program.
visit: www.krogercommunityrewards.com,
Please don't delay! Take a minute to sign up today! Let's
1. click on "Sign In" or "Create an Account to Enroll"
see if we can raise more money in the coming year with
2. Once signed in you can enroll or update your
this great program from Kroger!!
Community Rewards designation under your Account
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News and Information
Seedlings Invites You to An Open House
Awesome Idea...
Since the graduation and summer
Seedlings Braille Books invites you to an
wedding season is right around the
corner, here's a suggestion you might
like. We are seeing many people give a
donation to Seedlings in honor (or in memory) of a
loved one. One bride and groom gave a donation to
Seedlings in lieu of party favors for their guests.
What a nice way to honor a person and help "our
kids" at the same time!
Open House: Wednesday, October 7,
2015 between 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Come meet our staff and volunteers and
see how braille books are made. Feel
free to bring along friends, family, and co-workers. We
love to share how we put together braille books!!
Adopt-A-Reader Program
Visually impaired children in Michigan, Ohio, and
Illinois are eligible for Seedlings’ Adopt-A-Reader
program. This program matches donors with readers.
The Donor “adopts” the reader by making a $100
donation to Seedlings to support that child. Seedlings
in turn sends the child a $100 gift certificate the child
uses to select braille books from the Seedlings catalog.
Follow us on Facebook: Seedlings Braille Books
for Children and/or Twitter: @SeedlingsBrlBks.
Currently, we have a child waiting for adoption. If
interested please call Pat at 734-427-8552 x 301 or
email seedlink7@ameritech.net.
Teachers of the Visually Impaired Receive Free Books
Seedlings Braille Books for Children has been able to
put much-needed braille books in the hands of
Teachers of the Visually Impaired.
states were contacted with the offer to take advantage
of this amazing program: Texas, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia,
North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, and Indiana.
In four separate programs Seedlings offered Certified
Teachers of the Visually Impaired $100 worth of free
books for their classrooms. The Teachers were allowed
to select from the Seedlings’ catalog the books they
wished to have.
As one teacher said, “I truly appreciate the opportunity
to order books for my students through the generous
donations to Seedlings! Thank you for helping us reach
out to families and promote literacy to our students of
all ages.”
With the objective to help increase the literacy rate
among students with visual impairments, this program
is very much appreciated by the teachers.
Seedlings selects the states for the give away programs
based upon where the donation came from and/or the
fact that a program has not been held in the state
before.
Due to the generosity of some amazing donors,
The Teachers of the Visually Impaired in the following
Seedlings Braille Books for Children • 14151 Farmington Road • Livonia, Michigan 48154
734-427-8552/800-777-8552 • Fax: 734-427-8552 • info@seedlings.org • www.seedlings.org
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