For the past five years, the Team With a Vision event has drawn more and more runners and walkers. Excitement is building as we approach this year with a new date, a new location in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, stronger leadership, and the more succinct event name Vision 5K. Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the Boston Marathon, has been engaged to help build Vision 5K into one of Boston's premier events in support of the blindness community.

Vision 5K is a partnership between National Braille Press and four other area organizations serving the blind and visually impaired community. Working together, we can raise awareness and funds for the blind. Runners and walkers of all levels of ability are encouraged to participate. It takes most people between 20 minutes and an hour to complete the course. There will also be a Kids' Fun Run, an optional educational segment for sighted runners--and lunch.

We invite you to run or walk to support the Press's work for braille literacy. We invite you to take up the challenge of raising sponsorships for your efforts. But most of all, we invite you to join us on what promises to be a great day of community and individual achievement! To learn more, go to www.vision5k.org.

National Braille Press hosted over 40 volunteers for its first Family Volunteer Day on Saturday, January 27th. Volunteers helped put together 500 copies of A Picture Book of Anne Frank by David Adler. The Press has been increasing its volunteer program steadily over the past three years and we're excited to continue to educate the public about braille literacy through these projects. We are currently adding more daytime volunteer projects for companies. If you would like to know more about upcoming projects please contact Justin Byron, Development Coordinator, at 617-266-6160 ext. 28 or jbyron@nbp.org.

Thank you to all the volunteers for your dedication and time!

Mike Mellor, author of Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius spoke to two packed audiences at the Center for the Visually Impaired in Daytona Beach, Florida, last month. "We had a wonderful event here with Michael," said Meredith Beckhardt, Library Program Administrator, "and rave reviews from attendees."

Said Mellor, "Both groups were very enthusiastic about Louis Braillle, and wanted to learn more. Many thronged around the author after the presentation not only to buy copies but also to ask more questions and discuss Braille's extraordinary achievements. "

Mellor is an excellent speaker for any special event or keynote address. To see Mike's speaking schedule or to contact us about scheduling a presentation, see Mike's page.