The  McDonald Fellowship program was established several years ago in order to: a)  assist those who have never attended a convention of the National Federation of  the Blind (NFB) before, or b) financially assist those who have demonstrated a  commitment to our organization and who are unable to afford the costs of  attending a national convention.

 

Many of those who have attended our national NFB  convention are amazed at how seeing, meeting, and interacting with over 3000  other blind and low vision convention attendees has literally changed their  lives. They not only experience how the problems of vision loss can be overcome, but they also experience the confidence that can come with it.

 

Robert McDonald was the founding father of our state affiliate. He and his wife, Marian, gave of themselves tirelessly and selflessly to further the progress and better the lives of those who are blind,  visually impaired, and low vision in Virginia.

 

When Robert (Mac) McDonald established the fellowship program, he recognized the personal benefits that come to people who attend a national convention for the first time. In Mac’s memory, the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV) continues his legacy of education and empowerment to Virginia's blind citizens.

 

This year the goal of the McDonald Fellowship program is to issue three McDonald Fellowship awards each in the amount of $750.00. These funds will be awarded to assist each fellowship recipient in covering the cost of attending our 2007 NFB National Convention to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, the week of June 30 through July 6. This event will take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta.

 

An added bonus to this year's convention experience is the opportunity to actively take part in a history making event. The National Federation of the Blind's “March for Independence”. This event will be attended by Honorary Chair Andrew Young Jr., the civil rights leader whose long career has included serving as a Georgia Congressman, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Mayor of the city of Atlanta,

 

We will link each of our fellowship winners up with a state mentor who will assist them in getting the most out of their national convention experience. Preference will be given to McDonald Fellowship applicants who have not previously attended a national convention.

 

As part of the Fellowship application requirements, McDonald Fellowship winners are asked to attend the entire NFB convention and write an article about their experiences for the Vigilant (the newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia) upon their return from convention. Winners will also have an opportunity to address our 2007 NFB of Virginia state convention.

 

Deadline for applications for the McDonald Fellowship is May 1, 2006. Winners will be announced May 15, 2006. We ask that applicants write a brief letter of application outlining their reasons why they should be considered for a Fellowship. Preference will be given to applications from: those who have never attended a NFB National Convention before; those who have demonstrated commitment to the NFBV organization by their participation in either chapter or state activities over the past year; and by those applicants who include pertinent supporting information that will help in our selection process (e.g. letters of support from chapter presidents).

 

E-mailed applications or questions about the Fellowship program should be sent to Mary Chappell, Chairman, McDonald Fellowship Committee, by e-mail at mtc5@cox.net or by phone at 703.655.1929.

 

Other McDonald Fellowship Committee members can also be contacted if you have questions. They are:

Mary Durbin E-mail Address: mrdurbin@cox.net

Andre Tynes E-mail Address: atynes1@cox.net

Billie Ruth Schlank E-mail Address: brschlank@comcast.net