Blind organization welcoming new members, donations

Look out for ways to help your blind neighbors this month at a local department store.

Members of the Grand Strand Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will be among those taking part in Belk Charity Days 2015.

Look for them just inside the Belk store at the Coastal Grand Mall from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on October 24. They will be selling $5 discount tickets for items purchased at Belk.

The tickets can be used to put away merchandise that day, but can only be used for take-out purchases on November 7. The chapter will use the $5 for its projects, which include sending some funds to the national federation to help provide about 15 scholarships to blind students each year.

The chapter is also looking for a blind student to receive a local scholarship.

The Grand Strand chapter helps support Camp Rocky Bottom – a camp for the blind in South Carolina – and has special events for the blind.

Because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and their dreams, the National Federation of the Blind raises expectations for them. The Grand Strand Chapter is one of 62 that comprise the National Federation of the Blind in South Carolina. Each chapter is working “to improve the social, spiritual and economic well-being of blind South Carolinians,” according to their website.

Charlis Borodin of Little River, who lost her vision about 15 years ago, is president of the local chapter. Ken Kusaj of Garden City is vice-president.

Losing your sight is devastating, Borodin said.

“It makes you get depressed, and you need other people around,” she said.

You also need to know your rights and all of the resources that are out there to make life better, and helping people find that information is part of what the chapter does.

“People have to reach out to me in order for me to help them,” Borodin said.

The National Federation for the Blind offers resources for living, learning, working and recreations. All of those resources – as well as information about blindness – and about new products and technology that are changing what it means to be blind can be found on the organization’s website. Applications can also be made there to receive a free white cane, which the Federation of the Blind believes is a means to independence.

Debbie Zaleski of Myrtle Beach, who has a disease that affects her eyesight, making it much worse at times, is an associate member.

“You don’t have to be blind to be a part of this group,” she said.

Zaleski said the members have been very inspirational to her since she joined, and they just keep on inspiring her.

Borodin said it is important to keep the chapter going strong, and they need new members, especially younger people. They meet on the second Saturday of every month at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Glen’s Bay Baptist Church, 1835 Glen’s Bay Road, Surfside.

For more information, call Borodin at 399-2896. The website for the National Federation of the Blind is at www.nfb.org.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Blind organization welcoming new members, donations."