The Starkey Hearing Foundation, Eden Prairie, Minn, will host its 10th anniversary So the World May Hear awards gala on July 25 at the RiverCentre in St Paul, Minn.
Sponsored by Best Buy, Minneapolis, the event will honor Muhammad Ali, Steve Martin, Sam Moore, Harvey Mackay, and Brad and Janet Anderson for their humanitarian work and philanthropic efforts.
“This event gives us the opportunity to spotlight altruistic individuals who unquestionably have made the world a better place,” says Tani Austin, treasurer of the Starkey Hearing Foundation and founder and chair of the fundraiser. “This will mark our 10th year of not only honoring great humanitarians, but truly celebrating the spirit of giving.”
Entertainment for the celebrity attendees and more than 1,600 guests will be provided by Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Doobie Brothers, and Jordin Sparks.
Proceeds from the event will support the worldwide hearing missions of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Since 2000 the Foundation has distributed 442,221 free hearing aids to underprivileged, hearing-impaired, children and adults in more than 86 countries, including the United States.
Because studies have shown that 80% of what a child learns comes through their ears, the Foundation has focused its efforts on helping children. “This is a good thing that we do,” said Bill Austin, CEO and founder. “By giving children the gift of hearing, whom otherwise do not have the means, we are giving them a chance to learn, to socialize, and to realize new opportunities and dreams.” Austin has confirmed his personal goal to distribute more than one million free hearing aids in this decade.
As part of the gala events, the foundation will host a special hearing mission for Minnesota children on July 22 at their corporate headquarters in Eden Prairie.
[Source: Starkey Hearing Foundation]
