UPDATE: The good news is that the demand for the Braille books are such that the NBP has increased their print run.  This means getting even more copies out there into the hands of English Braille readers!

UPDATE:  Yahoo! learned about what we’re doing here and has decided to donate to the National Braille Press the amount that this Yahoo! Group raises, up to our initial goal of $7,777.  Since Yahoo! is going to match our efforts, let’s really give ‘em a match to remember – please spread the word!

In appreciation of Jo, for spinning a tale that inspired a web of fans world wide.

With bated breath exhaled, the countdown finally over, and your copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hopefully already in hand, imagine...

If You Had To Wait!

Blind bookworms who prefer Braille have historically suffered such a sorry fate.  Only a tiny percentage of books available in print are ever made into Braille and usually the publication takes place long after the ink-and-paper edition sees the light of day.  Aside from the wait, these books are really expensive: each copy of HP7 in Braille costs $65 to make.

But the HP fans who read Braille are extremely lucky because Jo and Scholastic Press have done their part so that the National Braille Press’s edition of HP7 will magically be ready on the same day as the print edition.  No less magical is the non-profit publisher, NBP’s commitment to match the typical pre-sale and retail prices.

NBP cannot do this alone and need help making HP7 this accessible.  A team of young blind HP fans by the name of “Team Harry Potter and the Walking Wizards” have raised more than $9k so far, which goes a long way towards the grand total of $80,000 needed.  We here are starting off by aiming to raise what surely is a powerfully magical number: 7,777.

To quote NBP's Tanya Holton: "This isn't about charity, it's about parity."  Imagine if you had to wait for weeks to find out if Snape is Dumbledore’s Man, Voldemort’s Faithful Servant, or on no one's side but his own?!  Imagine trying to avoid the spoilers because your friends had access and you didn’t?

Can you spare a few knuts (nay, a few galleons!) to help make the conclusion to Harry’s saga more accessible to fellow fans?

Donating through this website is simple, fast and secure but if you prefer, you can snail mail your checks payable to National Braille Press, attn: HP7, 88 Saint Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.  Posting via e-mail ( HP7@yahoogroups.com ) to let us know the check is in the mail would be appreciated.

Because the NBP is a section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, there are two
things to keep in mind:

(1)  All donations are tax deductible in the US to the full extent of the law; please be sure to look for their letter acknowledging your donation and keep it for the IRS.

(2)  Many companies run matching grant programs when their employees donate to nonprofits; please consult your HR dept. to find out how you can pseudo-alchemically turn your sickles into galleons for NBP.

Please help spread the word – every cent counts!  Post your thoughts at groups.yahoo.com/group/HP7 or send an email to HP7@yahoogroups.com – many thanks!

Petra
a
n  :)

"The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker."     -- Helen Keller