ASL RANCH FUNDRAISING EFFORTS EXPANDED

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA - (10 October, 1997) - Deaf Expo show organizers, along with board members from parent organization EF Training Center, Inc., announced details of an expanded fundraising campaign for its ASL Ranch Project.

Linda Cummings, who coordinated the Information Desks and Door Prize displays at past DEAF EXPO shows, has been appointed ASL Ranch Coordinator. In her new position, Ms. Cummings will spearhead efforts to increase solicitation of donations from the general public.

The ASL Ranch project was prematurely announced in September, 1994 in memory of Rick Rogers, one of EFTC's founding board members. It had been his dream to raise funds to purchase permanent semi-urban property to be designated as a year-round convention and tournament facility specifically designed for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patrons.

As part of this year's expanded outreach campaign, Ms. Cummings has launched the "$5 Booster Club". All persons who donate $5 and up will have their names written on ASL Ranch triangle decals which will be displayed during DEAF EXPO '97 at Fairplex in Pomona, CA over November 14-16, 1997 weekend. This year's Show celebrates DEAF EXPO's fifth anniversary. Over 110+ exhibits have been confirmed to date.

Following conclusion of DEAF EXPO '97, names of all donors will be printed in the post-Show issue of DEAF USA, a national publication also printed bi-monthly by EFTC. All donations are tax-deductible under federal regulations governing 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations.

A script has been developed and production is currently underway of a 15-minute videotape explaining the rationale behind the scenes of why the ASL Ranch is needed. There is a need for a year-round facility where national and regional organizations can host their conventions, tournaments, retreats and special events.

Ongoing experiences of DEAF EXPO Show Organizers have indicated that all public facilities, both hotels and convention centers, are not adequately prepared for large gatherings of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. This has resulted in time-consuming and costly modifications for a temporary special event that still does not fully meet the special needs of this population.

This videotape, which will be signed in American Sign Language and open captioned with voice over, is expected to air at the ASL Ranch exhibit during DEAF EXPO '97. Copies will also be available on loan basis to any groups upon receiving a refundable $25 deposit.

For information on ASL Ranch, contact EFTC, 4717 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 210, North Hollywood, CA 91607, FAX: 818/760-3391, E-MAIL: EFTC@aol.com, http://www.DEAFEXPO.ORG