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Green and blue Dragonfly on bright blue circle

JANUARY/FEBRUARY,  2021
FEATURE STORY
KIDNEY FOR JACOBY
Club VIBES is planning a fundraising effort to help provide funds to assist Vibes member and board member, Jacoby, in preparing for his upcoming kidney transplant and the recovery period following the operation.  The idea is to have an online auction where people can bid on items, most of which will be donated. The October/November 2020 edition of the Club VIBES Newsletter featured a story that told about Jacoby's life with diabetes from the age of two which resulted in his loss of vision as well as kidney function. A kidney transplant is Jacoby's chance for a normal life. Insurance will pay most of the costs of the transplant surgery but the period of up to a year of recovery will entail more expenses not covered by insurance. In addition, Jacoby will not be able to work during this period. 
Cartoon picture of an auctioneer wearing a cowboy hat, holding a gavel and shouting SOLD!

We are shooting for a March auction but we will be very busy between now and then gathering items and preparing the website, showing the items and bidding procedure. We ask all of our readers to think of things that they might wish to donate ranging from what is no longer needed but still in style and good condition. Donations might include household items, decorative pieces, and maybe even that great jacket you received for Christmas that doesn't fit but you neglected to return. We will also welcome things that can be used to make up gift baskets such as maybe sporting event tickets or team t-shirt for a sports basketgift baskets, and even restaurant gift cards (they work for take-out). Please send a picture and description of the item you wish to donate to Sue before the end of February. We ask that you also reach out to friends and relatives who might have something to donate. We will arrange for contact free pickup of donations and delivery of items to the new owners.
JANUARY CALENDAR
24-Book Club, 7:00 pm
31-Fit for Battle, 3:00 pm
31-Chat On the Porch, 7:00 pm

FEBRUARY CALENDAR 
5-Member Meeting, 7:00 pm
7,14,21,28-Fit For Battle, 3:00 pm
9-Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
10-Low Vision Meeting, 7:00 pm
14-Valentine's Party, 7;00 PM
14,28-Chat on the Porch, 7:00 pm
18-Leadership Meeting, 7:00 pm
19-Your Future Job Session, 7:00 pm
21-Book Club, 7:00 pm

Freedom to Fly Blog
WHAT IS NEW THIS MONTH ON OUR BLOG PAGE?

FOURTEEN THINGS I'M GLAD I CANNOT SEE
There are some advantages to not having had vision since you were 21 years old. One is that those you know and love never grow old, become bald, or fat, but always look just the same as when you last were able to see them. To read the blog on the Club Vibes web site, click here .

COMMENTS
We would like to hear from you. Add your comments at http://club-vibes.org/blog/ or at the blog on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/clubvibesgroup/

SUBSCRIBE
To guarantee that you do not miss any of our blogs, you can subscribe to them on our website, http://club-vibes.org/blog/

NEWS
INTRODUCING LAUREN
Our new board member is Lauren. Here is her story.
My name is Lauren Switzer. I am a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and an Orientation and Mobility Specialist. This is my second year working for Knox County Schools. Before Knoxville, I worked as a TVI and Orientation and Mobility Specialist for 3 years in Florida for Hillsborough and Leon County Schools. I also have worked with teenagers with Transition Programs in two Lighthouses for the Blind. Along with teaching, I am a coach for the West High School Girls Soccer Team. When I am not teaching or coaching, you can likely find me hiking, biking, or just at home enjoying time with my partner, two kids, and 4 dogs. Quite a full house! I look forward to being a part of Club Vibes and getting to know you all! 

CONGRATULATIONS SARAH
Vibes member, Sarah, has been appointed to serve on the DAGWould Committee of Knox County whose mission is to make public spaces in Knox County accessible to people of various disabilities.

BY INVITATION ONLY
Facebook logo-lower case f
In addition to our general Facebook page which provides information about Club Vibes activities and accomplishments, we now also have a Facebook page open by invitation. The objective of this page is to offer a forum for sharing information on set topics that are useful to the blind and low vision community. As we switched from face-to-face meetings to a virtual platform due to the onset of Covid19, we realized that we can reach far beyond Knox County. This was evident when one of our members moved to Nashville and continues to remain active in Club Vibes. Virtually, we can reach across the entire country

The format for the new page is to have a topic for each day moderated by a trained Vibes member with readers contributing additional information. Currently the topics are:
Mainstream Monday-related to mainstream school and navigating it
Techy Tuesday-everything related to assistive technology
Work-out  Wednesday-a discussion of fitness and how to remain healthy
Throw-it-Together Thursday-tips for maintaining a safe and organized home
Friday Funday-miscellaneous discussion on various topics such as games, special promotions, etc.
The moderator will post relevant information on the topic for the day and viewers will be able to offer input allowing an exchange of ideas and information.
MEMBERS CORNER
IMPORTANT MEMBER INFORMATION
Club Vibes has many activities going on. These are open to members only. If you (or your child) are legally blind, you may be a great candidate for Club Vibes. Individuals are welcome to apply upon which there is an assessment to determine if Club Vibes is a good fit for both parties. Information and applications are available on the Club Vibes website,  https://club-vibes.org/get-involved/join/

Cartoon picture of a laptop with a Zoom meeting shown on the screen


GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
All Club VIBES members meet the first Friday of the month via Zoom to discuss various topics related to living with low vision, blindness, and issues facing Club Vibes as a whole. At the January meeting, the group discussed the new Facebook page for members only and potential invitees to join the page. The online auction, Kidney for Jacoby was also discussed. Club Vibes has many activities going on. These are open to members only. Anyone who is not a member, but feels like they can benefit from the many things going on at Club Vibes is welcome to apply for membership. More information and applications are available on the Club Vibes website, https://club-vibes.org/get-involved/join/

LOW VISION MEMBERS MEETING
The Club Vibes low vision group meets the second Wednesday of each month. At the January 13 meeting, the group discussed their goals for the group. They agreed to focus on issues related to independent living and self-advocacy. In addition, they plan to share resources and experiences members encounter.  In support of the Kidney for Jacob fundraiser, the group decided to assemble a spa basket.  

FIT FOR BATTLE 
This provides an opportunity for Vibes members to stay in shape while staying home since there are currently no in-person group activities such as tandem bicycling or walking with DG.  Fit for Battle is an online fitness app in which participants walk, run, or jog while battling goblins and other strange creatures. While holding the iPhone, 
participants move (eg. run in place), and the faster they go, the more power they have to destroy the enemy. Members gather via Zoom on Sunday afternoons for the workout. Contact Illya for information on how to participate.

BOOK CLUB
Since its beginning, the Book Club members have read three books. Currently, they are reading Salt to Sea. They get together on Zoom monthly to discuss the book and suggest what to read next. The week before the meeting, members vote on the next selection. Contact Illya for information on how to join the book club.

CHAT ON THE PORCH
This is a fun, unstructured social hosted by Marian where members gather on Zoom twice a month and just talk and laugh about anything and everything.  Contact Marian if you would like to join this wild group.
FUND RAISING
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
There are currently a couple of ways that you can help with fundraising. The first is the to participate in the upcoming online auction, Kidney for Jacoby,  described at the top of this newsletter.

The second way you can help with our fundraising is by making all of your Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile https://smile.amazon.com . Be sure to designate Club Vibes as your charity and a small percentage of your purchase will go to Club Vibes.

We thank everyone for their continued support.
TECH AND MEDIA
ibug

ibug logo with words ibug in print and braille with a ladybug and the slogan iBlind Users Group

ibug is an organization dedicated to improving accessible technology skills (focusing on Apple products) for blind and visually impaired persons and hopefully providing them the ability for independent and productive lives. There are training sessions on all apple devices including computers, Apple TV, and Apple watches. These training sessions are free and are presented via ZOOM. Some Vibes members are already attending movies on Fridays at 8:00 pm.  There is a social time beginning at 7:30 and a discussion following each movie.  More information, as well as how to sign up to attend any of the ibug programs, is available on the ibug website. http://www.ibugtoday.com
PARTNERS
  THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS  FOR 2020-2021     

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DELTA GAMMA FRATERNITY 


    
             
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WEST KNOX LIONS CLUB   


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Ruth E. Bailey, D.D.S.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY OF KNOXVILLE                       


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