Published: April 30, 2009 01:42 pm         

Walk4Hearing gaining attention

Although many organizations sponsor walks for their cause, the very first Walk4Hearing set for May 16 in Chattanooga at Chattanooga State and adjoining Riverwalk is gaining popularity and “firing up” a little competition between Walk teams.

Now at 64 percent of its $25,000 goal, there are 19 registered teams that have combined donations ranging from $20 to more than $3,700. Large and small amounts are equally welcome as teams raise funds and awareness of hearing loss. New figures released from the National Center for Health Statistics now say that more than 36 million people nationwide are affected by hearing loss.

Recently, the national office of Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) announced that Reed Doughty of the Washington Redskins is supporting the Washington DC Walk4Hearing as the Honorary Chair. Reed, hard of hearing since childhood, is an HLAA member featured on the cover of the November/December 2008 Hearing Loss Magazine. To read the exclusive interview, click on www.hearingloss.org/magazine/2008NovDec/HLM_DoughtyND08Final.pdf. At the height of football season in mid-October, Reed and his family will be unable to participate in the DC Walk, but he is busy donating his time to do a public service announcement to promote that walk and to promote walks nationwide.

The Chattanooga Walk4Hearing welcomed additional sponsors including Morgan-Keegan & Co. Inc. and Daniels, Riggar & Associates. Cracker Barrel has agreed to provide biscuits and jelly to walkers as they sign in and to exhibitors who will have displays and information at the Walk. Members of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha agreed to assist HLAA members throughout the Walk period.

Members of the community, organizations and businesses are encouraged to register as a walker or to make a donation on the Walk4Hearing Web site at www.walk4hearing.org. For more information, call Dick Twitchell at (423) 894-3138 or e-mail chairperson Betty Proctor at [email protected].

     

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