American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
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“My white cane is like my credit card. I never leave home without it.”
For many blind people, the long white cane stands as a beacon of independence and inclusion. It's a tool that allows for exploration of a space and safe navigation as well as full participation. The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults believes no blind person should be without one. This is the motivation behind the Free White Cane Program.
Through this program, in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind, a blind person can order a new white cane every six months, completely free of charge. Since 2008 we have distributed nearly 100,000 free white canes. As one recipient shared, “Without my cane, I wouldn't have the independence I have today.”
As long ago as the 1920s, blind people have used white canes to navigate. Today we are thrilled that even blind children who are just learning to walk can explore their surroundings with the help of a long white cane. For blind students, a white cane goes beyond its practical purpose; it’s a gateway to inclusion and empowerment. By mastering its techniques, students assert their presence and demand equal access to education and other opportunities. As parents, teachers, and supporters of blind students, your contributions are instrumental in fostering this self-reliance.
By supporting the American Action Fund, you’re not just helping a program; you’re investing in independence and creating a more accessible world for the blind community. Join us in our effort to ensure that all blind people have the ability to travel freely and safely with a long white cane. Together, we can push forward toward distributing the next 100,000 free white canes.
Learn more about our programs, including the Free White Cane Program, on our website: https://actionfund.org/programs.
Your support helps keep our resources free for blind children and adults. You can contribute to the Action Fund in three easy ways.
Make a gift online by visiting https://actionfund.org/donate.
Give over the phone by calling 410-659-9315.
Send a check made out to “American Action Fund” to 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Often the simplest and most significant way to make a charitable contribution is to plan a legacy gift. Creating a lasting impact is easier than you might think. Choose an option that works best for your circumstances.
You can plan to give all or part of a bank account, insurance proceeds, investment assets, real estate, or a retirement account. You can even give a required minimum distribution from your IRA directly to charity and avoid taxes on the distribution. After taking care of your loved ones, you can bequeath a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to an organization whose mission is important to you.
The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults Legacy Society recognizes and honors the generosity of friends who have chosen to leave a legacy through a will or other planned giving option.
If you wish to give part or all of an account, simply fill out a POD (payable on death) or TOD (transfer on death) form. For pensions and insurance assets, simply designate a charity as a beneficiary. If you would like to leave a legacy to the Action Fund in your will, please include the following language:
I give, devise, and bequeath unto the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, 1800 Johnson Street, Suite 100, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, (EIN 52-1192529) the sum of $______________ (or) _________ “percent of my net estate” or “the following stocks and bonds”: ____________________, to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind persons.
If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to Patti Chang at 410-659-9315 or [email protected]. If you have included the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in your will or have made some other provision for a future gift, please contact Patti so we can recognize you as a member of our Legacy Society.
Legacy gifts carry the values and ideals that have been important to you throughout your lifetime, and they provide for generations of blind children and adults. Please consider the American Action Fund in your future plans.