IFB Beat – Week of November 20, 2023

A Message from the Editor

IFB colleagues, this holiday season brings in the spirit of gratitude and appreciation, and I would like to extend my thanks to all who read the IFB Beat and submit information weekly to help keep everyone informed. This week you will find:

• Thanksgiving lunch details reminders
• Details about IFB’s participation at the NIB Reverse Industry Day
• Highlight on the Sight Adjustment Support Group
• Trans-Aid bus pass update (Winston-Salem Facility)
• How to experience the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade through Audio Description
• OPENS MONDAY: Enrollment for 2024 Flex Spending Accounts

Like The IFB Beat riddles? Enjoy solving this one: Why did the turkey decide to cross the road?

Stroll the Beat to find the answer.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Reminder: Winston-Salem and Asheville Facility Thanksgiving Lunch Details
– Trans-Aid Bus Pass Update – Winston-Salem Facility
– NIB Reverse Industry Day
– See what S.E.E. is Doing
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– 2024 Health Savings Account Open Enrollment Begins Monday, November 20
– Benefit of the Month
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

Reminder: Winston-Salem and Asheville Facility Thanksgiving Lunch Details

IFB Solutions will be providing a traditional Thanksgiving lunch at the Winston-Salem and Asheville Facility locations during your scheduled lunch breaks.

• Winston-Salem Facility: Tuesday, November 21; catered by Canteen Catering
• Asheville Facility: Wednesday, November 22; catered by Box Car Grille

 

Trans-Aid Bus Pass Update – Winston-Salem Facility

Effective immediately, if you need a Trans-Aid bus pass, please see Canteen Associate Claudia Molinero during your second break. She will be available in the cafeteria for the purchase of all bus passes. Exact change is preferred. Please note: HR no longer distributes these passes.

 

National Industries of the Blind Reverse Industry Day

IFB Solutions participated in an AbilityOne Representative (ABOR) Reverse Industry Day on November 9 at NIB Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. ABORs are designated federal employees who advocate federal buying in accordance with mandatory source contracting procedures within their specific federal agency. The event, hosted by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission® in conjunction with NIB and SourceAmerica, provided an opportunity to show ABORs and their supporting staff our wide-ranging capabilities and experiences. 200 ABORs and other government personnel participated in the Reverse Industry Day meeting. Featured IFB Solution products at the Reverse Industry Day were our very own Advanced Combat Shirt (ACS) and our Purell / Skilcraft Surface Disinfecting Wipes.

As part of the day’s agenda, IFB’s Shawn Blanks (IFB Business Development Manager) presented the BSC Program, along with Amie Guerrero (VP of Retail Operations, South Texas Lighthouse) and Dan Carson (IFB Program Director of Consumer Products) presented the clothing and textile program. It was a great day to showcase who we are and what we do!

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing

The S.E.E. kids enjoyed a day at Red Hound Farm feeding the animals, going on a hayride, picking a pumpkin right out of the patch, and eating ice cream made with a 2-stroke engine. Soft sheep and feathery chickens were fun to pet. Six dogs helped herd the goats and donkeys to keep them in their places. Adapted barrels painted like cows gave us a ride behind a tractor in a bumpy cow train. After playing in a corn pit, we had to dump corn out of our shoes which made us laugh.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

The IFB Solutions Programs team at the Winston-Salem Facility oversee a support network to help develop personal independence for people who are blind or visually impaired through peer groups. We currently have eight support groups which offer a safe zone for discussion, peer bonding and up-to-date resources. These groups are made available to employees, the community, or any employee who has a family member experiencing vision challenges and would like to learn more. The IFB Beat will be highlighting each support group and encourage you to find one that fits your needs.

Sight Adjustment Support Group

The Sight Adjustment support group is for individuals adjusting to blindness in all areas of life and for those who have lost their vision in other ways than a specific or hereditary eye disease.

The Sight Adjustment Support Group meets monthly and provides a platform for individuals to connect with others who are facing similar challenges, share their experiences, and offer support to each other. Brian Ballard, Sight Adjustment Support Group President, states “We are all in this together. We are here to motivate, encourage, and provide a family-like atmosphere. We often have speakers come in and share educational and community resources. We’re all about helping each other! There is nothing better than enjoying the company of people who understand what you are going through.”

The Sight Adjustment Support Group meets the first Thursday of each month in the TADS room at noon. You can also participate via zoom. If interested in joining, contact Brian Ballard sewing machine operator in the EWOL department at 336-831-7300 or just stop by! They would love to have you visit!

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

• Monday, November 20 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room
• Tuesday, November 21 VIPS Club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room
• Wednesday, November 22 Assistive Technology support group meeting from 7:00-8:00 via zoom (link at end of newsletter)

 

CLVC Item of the Week:

Big Print Date Calendar – 2024 for $15.95

Mark your appointments and special dates on the Big Print Date Calendar. Each month is laid out in a two-page spread. Following each month is an additional two-page spread with a three-month view and room to write notes and appointments. Coiled and coated wire binding lets the book lay flat for easy reading.

If you are interested in purchasing Low Vision Equipment through our Loan Program (3rd Party), please contact a Low Vision Coordinator for assistance.

 

The IFB Beat Riddle:

Thanks for strolling! You found the answer.

Question: Why did the turkey decide to cross the road?
Answer: To prove that he wasn’t a chicken!

 

From Our Community

Insider Corner

This section is edited by Faith Harding. Reach out to her at fharding@ifbsolutions.org. 

Hello IFB Family!

Hope your week is getting off to a good start. If we act and think like everyone else, how will we obtain original thought? It’s time to be creative, innovative, and a better you!

Budgeting Lunch and Learn at Piedmont Federal Savings Bank

Piedmont Federal Saving Bank invites you to join for a budgeting workshop. They will share the importance of budgeting, what’s needed, and how to maintain discipline to grow your funds. Lunch will be provided.

• When: Friday, December 1st, from 11:30-1:00pm
• Address: 201 South Stratford Road Winston Salem 27103

Note: this workshop is not endorsed or sponsored by IFB Solutions in any way. 

Thanksgiving Day Parade Available via Audio Description

The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature character balloons and magical floats, marching bands from across the nation, a star-studded line up of guests, and a television broadcast that will be available with live audio description. Read more at Thanksgiving Day Parade Available via Audio Description – Partners for Sight.

Welcome back! Below is part 2 of Winter Robinson’s journey through Asheville.

Read part 1 here.

If records and radio stations aren’t your thing, here are some unique stores in downtown Asheville to love. Have fun exploring Coda, located at Citizen Vinyl. This shop sells different things from beanies to shirts to records pressed from the local plant from time to time. Or how about trying Rocket Fizz, a joyous retro candy shop featuring more than 300 selections of flavored sodas from bacon to pickle to cookies and cream. The shop also houses international sodas and candies, over 50 flavors of taffy, and more.

Not interested in candy or records? Then try Himalayas Imports, a wonderful place where one can buy premium hemp-based bags, rare Himalayan antiques, statues, instruments from Nepal, clothing, the largest collection of beautiful singing bowls in America, and more. Want something even more international? Then try Ten Thousand Villages. This store displays hand-made unique products created by local artists from developing nations. Proceeds are shared with artist to provide more one of a kind creations.

Want something even more interesting? Check out Madam Clutterbuckets Neurodiverse Universe. This is a wonderful store which feels like a mix between an oddities shop, a thrift store, a metaphysical store and a toy box. Hailed as a store for all especially Autistic individuals, I will say in my opinion this is and will be one of the best parts of your visit. This shop, by far, one of the greatest things I found while visiting. Be sure to make a trip there if you can. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Concluding in part 3, Winter provides additional discoveries for you to see!

Have an amazing Holiday!

Faith

 

HR & Opportunities

Open Enrollment for 2024 Flex Spending Accounts Begins Monday, November 20

2024 Flex Spending Account Open Enrollment will be open in Paycom beginning November 20th through December 1st – log in to your account to complete the process. Please note that to be eligible for FSA you must have 1 year of full-time service at IFB Solutions.

What is FSA Medical: Allows you to pay for qualified out-of-pocket expenses, such as:

• Medical expenses, like monthly supplies and over-the-counter products
• Copayments / insurance deductibles / prescription medications / eyeglasses

FSA Dependent Care: Allows you to pay for qualified out-of-pocket expenses, such as:

• Before or after school programs / childcare / day camp / preschool / au pair
• Custodial elder care (work-related) / adult day care center

 

Benefit of the Month

This section is a monthly feature supported by IFB Solutions Benefits Supervisor Ciara Frenette. Reach her at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

Guardian Oral Health Rewards Program: Regular visits to the dentist can help prevent and detect the early signs of serious diseases. That’s why Guardian’s Maximum Rollover Oral Health Rewards Program encourages and rewards members who visit the dentist, by rolling over part of your unused annual maximum into a Maximum Rollover Account (MRA). This can be used in future years if your plan’s annual maximum is reached.

• The Dental Low plan has an annual maximum benefit of $750.
• The Dental High plan has an annual maximum benefit of $1500.

Need Assistance? Call the Guardian Helpline (888) 600-1600, weekdays 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, EST. Refer to your member ID (social security number) and your plan number: 00056230.

 

New Job Announcements

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

BSC Vending Stock Clerk – Rock Island

Education and work experience:

• High School graduate or equivalent GED.
• Inventory/stock room experience preferred.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=77397&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=77398&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

For information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org or X5611.

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Adult Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
One tap mobile
+13017158592,99498078576# US (Germantown)

13126266799,99498078576# US
+(Chicago)

Dial by your location.
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576

 

Assistive Technology Support Group Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/94434630872?pwd=aXFYSHYyWkh1SE1tWDNOdDIwVURwUT09

Meeting ID: 944 3463 0872
Passcode: 924496

+13017158592, 99434630872, #, # US (Germantown)

+13126266799, 99434630872, #, # US (Chicago)