The Starkey Hearing Foundation 10th Anniversary 'So the World May Hear' Gala Week

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Starkey Hearing Foundation is hosting its 10th Anniversary "So the World May Hear" Awards Gala, July 25, 2010 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul.  This year's event, sponsored by Best Buy, will honor humanitarians Muhammad Ali, Steve Martin, Sam Moore, Harvey Mackay and Brad and Janet Anderson. Among a long list of celebrity attendees, over 1,600 guests will enjoy the musical performances of Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Doobie Brothers, Jordin Sparks, the Canadian Tenors and 8-year-old violin prodigy, Brianna Kahane.

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"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."

As a tradition, the Starkey Hearing Foundation will continue its Minnesota Hearing Mission, Thursday July 22nd at the Center for Excellence, 6700 Washington Avenue South in Eden Prairie.

The "Minnesota Mission" is designed to improve the hearing health of children in our community who do not have the resources to afford treatment.  Due to the increased demand for immediate assistance, the Minnesota Mission began a few months ago and since that time over 300 free hearing devices have been distributed to local children. The Foundation is estimating it will fit an additional 200 free hearing aids to Minnesota children during Thursday's Mission. The Mission is presented by Federated Insurance in partnership with Urban Ventures and welcomes celebrity guests including: Sam Moore, Josh Harding, Steve Hutchinson, Martell Webster, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Daisy Mallory, Ben Leber and others.

Minnesota based Federated Insurance is supporting the Starkey Hearing Foundation as this year's lead sponsor for the Minnesota Mission.  "We are proud to support the efforts of the Starkey Hearing Foundation and their mission to help the world hear," said Al Annexstad, President and CEO of Federated Insurance. "The work of the Starkey Hearing Foundation is one of those truly extraordinary outreaches to humankind.  Bill and Tani Austin are a living testament to our culture of caring in Minnesota."

The Starkey Hearing Foundation is the global leader in hearing healthcare.  Since 2000 the Foundation has distributed 447,432 free hearing aids to underprivileged, hearing impaired, children and adults in more than 86 countries, including the US. "This is a good thing that we do," states 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."  

More information can be found at www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.  For interviews or press information, please contact Mary Niemeyer at 612-327-4415 or email requests to [email protected].

SOURCE Starkey Hearing Foundation