More than 1400 supporters packed the RiverCentre ballroom in Minnesota last month for an unforgettable night of entertainment, inspiration, and more than $7 million of generosity.
The gala event raised money for the Starkey Hearing Foundation, the Global Leader in the Gift of Hearing, delivering more than 50,000 hearing aids annually through hearing missions in 86 countries. Founded by William F. Austin in 1984 with the vision So the World May Hear, countless numbers of lives are touched by better hearing through SHF missions.
Crowd-pleasing performances by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers, The Doobie Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Sam Moore, and Canadian Tenors had guests on their feet and singing along with enthusiasm.
Master of Ceremonies, Norm Crosby, presided over an event than featured special honors for Sam Moore, Brad and Janet Anderson, Steve Martin, Muhammad Ali, and Harvey MacKay.
Special guest, President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd, honoring Bill and Tani Austin and speaking of the importance of the work of Starkey Hearing Foundation and the life-changing role it plays in the lives of people around the globe.
Additional celebrities at this year’s event included Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne, Magic Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Nick Lachey, Vannessa Minnillo, Lou Ferrigno, Adrian Peterson and Verne Troyer.
With the goal to heighten social consciousness on the importance of hearing, Starkey Hearing Foundation launched a Hearing Conservation program, Sound Matters, to educate the public about responsible listening.
Today the Foundation is sustained by the selfless efforts of volunteers and donors spanning the globe. Since 2000, the Foundation has distributed more than 305,420 hearing aids to those in need around the world.
