MOVIE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH VISION & HEARING NEEDS!!! The MOPIX Mission  The MOPIXTC initiative began March 1, 2009, as part of the 1st Annual Rare Disorder Day held in Northern Michigan. Our mission is to educate about and raise funds to purchase MOPIX technology(1)for The State Theatre to serve the needs of our Northern Michigan Region target population(2). MOPIXTC volunteers are focusing wholly upon raising the funds necessary to purchase and install the MOPIX system in the State Theatre where we can meet our region’s common need, and promote inclusion of all people in community life.
To emphasize how important MOPIX is to those who will be making use of the technology one only needs to spend a few moments with Brandon and ElliottTyson, 11-year-old twins who are musically talented, intelligent, caring and joyful despite their near blindness. These amazing young men participated in the filming of a PSA for MOPIXTC and have also rolled up their sleeves to help raise the dollars needed. On a drizzly, cool day this summer Brandon and Elliott Tyson a/k/a THE TYSON BROTHERS of Buckley Schools set up their keyboard in front of a downtown shop and performed their hearts out to passersby … collecting over $700 in pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars. And they are still helping! On November 21, 2009 at 1:30pm Brandon and Elliott will bring Northern Michigan together at TC West Senior High, performing in a Variety Show held to benefit MOPIXTC and open to the general public. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! … PLEASE LEND YOUR SUPPORT BY … Joining us to make this a standing room only event on November 21 … AND BY ASKING OTHERS TO HELP by attending on the 21st and/or participating in the fundraising efforts … If everyone does just a little bit, the goals will be met swiftly. To assist you, we have prepared the enclosed information packet and volunteer/donor forms for duplication and use. And because we believe that giving of oneself to the community for the benefit of the whole is an important learning process that should be positively reinforced and rewarding, we have created this original and simple fundraising program for volunteers of all ages to be able to enjoy. Please take time to review these materials and watch/share the 10-minute DVD which consists of the WGBH film about the technology and our regional PSA which was produced and donated by TV 7&4 in cooperation with our volunteers. We are grateful to all the children, their families, volunteers and Thom Pritz with the entire crew of TV 7&4 for their participation in this positive community initiative. If, after reviewing these materials, you have any questions at all, please call or write and we will be glad to help; otherwise, thanks for duplicating and getting these materials into the hands of those who are eager to be part of this exciting mission!! Our immediate goal is straightforward. The estimate for equipment and installation totals $35,000 which we believe is a reachable goal. Rotary Charities of Traverse City has generously granted $5,000 toward purchase of the equipment. We aim to raise these funds by December 31, 2009 in order to schedule installation of MOPIX during the first half of 2010. Once the equipment and technology is installed, we are looking forward to holding a Premiere Event. Stevie Wonder is expected to appear as well as also promote and support replication of our work together in Northern Michigan throughout the state and across the country, employing our best and brightest young people from Northern Michigan. We are deeply honored by Stevie’s interest and encouragement. In order to keep the region informed, we are currently working with Traverse Global Communications and Huntington Bank to update the web page with current news; will also be able to accept credit card donations on the site in the near future. It is important to note that many around the country mistakenly believe that “accessibility” has been achieved – but those who live challenged by daily obstacles and subtle yet damaging exclusions know differently. We are mindful as we move forward that Northern Michigan is truly a most special place thanks to the caring and visionary people who together are the heartbeat of our region … we are a community of individuals, families and professionals uniquely able to work together for the common good … other regions look to us as they work to improve their own communities … our opportunity to pioneer an exceptional community standard simply does not get better than this! Please accept our heartfelt thanks for supporting the MOPIXTC vision and mission with your time, effort and generosity. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a presentation to your group, please do not hesitate to contact us – we are here to help. _______________________________________________________________________________ (1)MOPIX technology allows people with vision or hearing impairment, blindness or deafness, to enjoy the movies along with family, friends and community. Please refer to enclosed materials and DVD for more detailed information. (2)Research evidences that at least 10% of our region’s residents and visitors of all ages will benefit from this technology; more than 10,000 people. _____________________________________________________________________________ Brandon and Elliott Tyson, along with all of us volunteering, wish you and yours all that is good, now and always, and can’t wait to see you at the movies in 2010!! 
(Photo: Gretchen at PMD event with some of the children who also attended. See Photo Album page for more photos of people helping MOPIX TC) See you at the movies! Love, Gretchen Mol PMD National Spokesperson/MOPIX TC Committee Member MOPIX Committee Members: Sharon Neumann (Chair), Deb Lake, Sally Erickson, Kathy Kelto, Jeanne Strathman, Kim Schmitz, Christine Stalsonburg, Mike Sincic, Thom Pritz, Jay Tomaszewski, Sandy Leahy, J.J. Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Gretchen Mol. Please express your thanks to the following supporters and sponsors of the MOPIX-TC Project ...   
 
    
  
 
Dr. Sandra Leahy * Dr. Kathleen Sawhill 
THANK YOU TO OUR GROWING LIST OF SPONSORS AND DONORS ... MOVIE LEGENDS ($10,000+) -Who will be our first Movie Legend? MOVIE STARS ($5,000+) Rotary Camps & Services LEADING ACTORS ($2,000+) -Who will be our first Leading Actor? SUPPORTING ACTORS ($1,000+) Area Agency on Aging * (pledge) Smith & Johnson Attorneys DIRECTORS ($500+) Low Vision Solutions TC Lions Club STAGE HANDS (up to $500) American Spoon Foods Annie's of Traverse City Art & Soul Gallery Authentic Craftsmanship MMC Bath & Body Works Bay Home Medical Rehab Bayside Market Belle Tire Ben Franklin Stores Body & Soul Massage Britten Banner Brown Lumber Celia McKolay Cherry Republic Cherryland Floral Cousin Jenny's Disability Network Espresso Bay Fast Signs Garfield Auto Service Center Gold Canyon Candles Gretchen Mol Jay's Painting & Remodeling JJ Jackson Kelly Forrester Louis A. Smith Low Vision Solutions Michael Moore Michael Sincic Mue Sephei Munson Community Library National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Neighborhood Video NIH Office of Rare Diseases Niki Elhart- NMC Volunteers Northern Express Northwoods Soda Oryana Food Cooperative Palmateer Sisters Pier One Imports Ron Lints, DDS Rotary Camps & Services Sevens Paint & Wallpaper Smith & Johnson Attorneys PC Steve McKolay Stevie Wonder Sun Radius Steel Pan Band Suzanne Kramer Thatsa' Pizza The Grand Hotel The State Theatre - Timothy Smith Tomaszewski Family Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City Lions Club Vince's Fine Jewelers | 
