WASHINGTON, DC -- The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) hosted today a Starkey Hearing Foundation philanthropic event that provided free hearing aids, instruction and counseling services to hearing-impaired children in the Washington, DC area. The event is part of Starkey's "So the World May Hear" initiative that delivers more than 100,000 hearing aids every year to children and adults in countries across the globe.
Today's event included opening remarks featuring Starkey Hearing Foundation spokesperson Justin Osmond, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith, Starkey Hearing Foundation CEO and founder William Austin, and Starkey Hearing Foundation sponsors Val and Kathy Halamandaris. Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulson, both from Minnesota where the Starkey Hearing Foundation is based, along with Heather Whitestone McCallum, the first deaf Miss America, were also in attendance.
"One of the central planks of being a broadcaster is giving back to our community," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "And so it is entirely fitting that NAB partners today with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to do what local TV and radio stations do everyday: valuable and meaningful public service."As previously announced, William and Tani Austin received the Service to America Leadership Award, NABEF's highest honor, during the 2010 Celebration of Service to America Awards in June. The award honors the Austins' dedication to providing more than 442,000 hearing aids to children and adults around the world, as well as their commitment to distribute more than 1,000,000 free hearing aids worldwide in this decade.
About NABEF
The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving broadcasters and the public interest by supporting and advocating community service, diversity, education and broadcasting issues and trends. Learn more at www.nabef.org.
About The Starkey Hearing Foundation The Starkey Hearing Foundation was established in 1984 under William Austin's "So the World May Hear" concept. Through the work of donors and volunteers, William and Tani Austin have delivered more than 100,000 hearing aids annually to countries spanning the globe. The success of the foundation in the past decade has launched a commitment within the organization to distribute more than 1,000,000 free hearing aids worldwide in this decade. For additional information, click here.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
