The Hearing and Speech Agency Launches First Annual Fundraising Event, New 'Vibe' to Help Support Marylanders' Communication Needs

The Hearing and Speech Agency Launches First Annual Fundraising Event, New 'Vibe' to Help Support Marylanders' Communication Needs

-- WJZ-TV's Bob Turk, joins Vibe '06! as master of ceremonies, shares personal life-changing story about nearly becoming clinically deaf --

BALTIMORE, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- This spring, The Hearing and Speech Agency (HASA) launches Vibe!, the organization's first major, annual fundraising event to support the communications needs of more than 4,000 adults and children in the state of Maryland who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have speech or language disorders.

"Hearing and speech communication are serious social and business issues," says Susan Glasgow, executive director of HASA. She continues, "According to a report by the Better Hearing Institute, untreated hearing loss costs Americans over $100 billion in lost income each year. We can help cut those losses significantly by simply providing individuals with hearing aids or referring them for cochlear implants and providing therapy and appropriate education."

Joining as the master of ceremonies for Vibe '06! will be WJZ-TV Weathercaster, Bob Turk. Turk recently shared his personal story with parents and children at HASA. He explained, "I was having these really bad nightmares about waking up, hearing nothing, and wondered how was I going to do my job, how was I going to function." He continued, "[A cochlear implant] changed work so much for me because ... I can now physically hear and understand what [the anchors] are saying. In the past, [a fellow anchor] might say gee, it sure is foggy today and I might say, 'What about frogs?'" Dr. John Niparko, Turk's surgeon, was also at the agency to answer questions and support the relationship between Johns Hopkins and HASA.

Glasgow comments, "We really believe that to understand and to be understood is one of life's greatest gifts. Everyday we strive to help people like Bob - and people of all ages - reach their fullest potential and explore every opportunity to enjoy a happy and rewarding future."

In addition to raising funds to support the breadth of speech, language and hearing services the agency offers to the Maryland community, Vibe '06! will mark HASA's 80th anniversary. Since its inception in 1926, HASA remains the only non-profit organization in Maryland of its kind. In 2004, the agency relocated to its state-of-the-art $7.3 million facility, which has allowed HASA to serve more than 1,000 additional clients and increase its revenues to nearly $8 million.

The Hearing and Speech Agency Presents Vibe '06!

Guests are welcome to stroll through the National Aquarium's Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit while enjoying cocktails, Australian lite fare, a live auction by Alex Cooper Auctioneers, and live entertainment. Vibe '06! is a fundraising event to support the programs and services of HASA. Proceeds will help children and adults who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have speech or language disorders. At Vibe '06!, a brief recognition ceremony will be held to honor HASA's 2006 Communicator of the Year, Ann Bosworth, founder of HASA's oral center. http://www.hasa.org/vibe

Location: National Aquarium in Baltimore
501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Date/Time: May 4, 2006
7 p.m.-11 p.m.

Tickets: $150/person

Dress: Business attire

Registration: Respond by calling 410-318-6780 or emailing vibe@hasa.org.

Estimated
Attendance: 300 guests

Sponsors: Gemcraft Homes, Comcast, Alex Cooper Auctioneers and The
Owings Mills Times

About The Hearing and Speech Agency

Established in 1926, The Hearing and Speech Agency of Metropolitan Baltimore (HASA) is the only non-profit organization in Maryland solely dedicated to meeting the speech, language, and hearing needs of children and adults who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech and language disabilities. Serving more than 4,000 clients and students annually, HASA leads the way as a direct service provider, information resource center, and advocate for people of all income levels. HASA offers a number of comprehensive programs and individualized services, including Centralized Interpreter Referral Services, Clinical Services, and the Gateway School for children ages 3-12. HASA's state-of-the-art facility - The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building - encompasses classrooms, audiology testing booths, therapy suites, resource centers, and numerous other therapeutic amenities to improve lives through more effective communication. http://www.hasa.org/

Source: The Hearing and Speech Agency

CONTACT: Amanda Karfakis, Vitamin for The Hearing and Speech Agency,
+1-410-732-6542 ext. 2, amanda@vitamininc.net

Web site: http://www.hasa.org/vibe
http://www.hasa.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media interviews with the following individuals will be made possible through Amanda Karfakis at Vitamin. She may be reached directly at 410-732-6542 or amanda@vitamininc.net. * Susan Glasgow, Executive Director of HASA * Bob Turk, Weathercaster for WJZ-TV and Master of Ceremonies for Vibe '06! * Larry Cooper, Partner of Alex Cooper Auctioneers and President of the HASA Board * Ann Bosworth, HASA's Communicator of the Year and HASA Board Member * Marlene Adkins and E. Dale Adkins, Vibe '06! Event Chairs * Bonnie and Neil Katz, Vibe '06! Event Honorary Co-chairs

-------
Profile: intent