At a wall-raising ceremony held during the AudiologyNOW! conference, Oticon, Inc. presented a check for $60,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte to sponsor a home for a deserving family Featured: (back row, l-r) Bert Green, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Charlotte; Cheryl Kreider Carey, executive director, American Academy of Audiology; Dayana and Mom Carla Harlee, who will receive the new home; Peer Lauritsen, president of Oticon, Inc.; and Glendora Harlee; (front row, l-r) Brennan, Kayana and Eric Harlee.
At a ceremonial wall raising on Friday, April 4, Oticon President Peer Lauritsen discussed Oticon's decision to partner with Habitat for Humanity. "When we learned that Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte has built homes for more than 720 families, we knew that we had chosen a partner that was well-suited to our goals," he stated. "That's because at Oticon, Inc., we also build things. The state-of-the-art hearing solutions that we build may be a bit smaller, sleeker and more high-tech than a family home, but they are designed to accomplish the same goal: To change peoples' lives for the better."
Hundreds of audiologists, hearing care professionals and Oticon staff from across the country volunteered their time and talent to construct a Habitat for Humanity Home, donated by Oticon, Inc. in celebration of the American Academy of Audiology's 20th Anniversary.
In his remarks, Lauritsen acknowledged the contribution of the hundreds of audiologists and hearing care professionals who donated their time and talents to the house framing project. "Like Habitat Charlotte, we don't accomplish our goals alone. We recognize that 'building a better life' requires not just optimal tools but also skilled 'hands on' expertise," he explained. "That is why we rely upon thousands of dedicated, caring audiologists and hearing professionals to partner with us in this important endeavor. We know that without the expert care of hearing care professionals, the technological advances we provide will never reach their potential to truly make a difference for people with hearing loss."
Cheryl Kreider Carey (left), executive director of the American Academy of Audiology, dons a hard hat and joins Oticon President Peer Lauritsen for a wall-raising challenge for the Oticon-donated Habitat for Humanity home constructed during the AudiologyNOW! 2008 conference in Charlotte.
American Academy of Audiology Executive Director Cheryl Kreider Carey, CAE joined Lauritsen in a good natured wall raising challenge in which she and Lauritsen each donned hard hats and headed a construction crew attempting to be the first to raise the walls. "This unique humanitarian effort reflects the importance of the relationship between the hearing care industry and our members in achieving goals that benefit people with hearing loss," Carey noted. "We are honored that Oticon has chosen this very public effort to celebrate the American Academy of Audiology's first 20 years of advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and support of research. It is a wonderful way to demonstrate to the general public the caring and commitment to improving life that are at the core of our profession."
Volunteers hammer, drill and saw their way to a new Habitat for Humanity home donated by Oticon, Inc. Oticon staff organized and helped staff the volunteer project which spanned three days during the AudiologyNOW! conference in Charlotte.
Construction on the Habitat house frame was completed on Saturday and Habitat construction managers moved the frame to the Charlotte neighborhood where the home will stand when completed. A formal dedication ceremony is slated for July when the keys to the new house will be presented to the Harlee family, a single mother and her four children, who will finally realize their dream of a home of their own.
For more information about Oticon, please visit www.oticonusa.com or the Oticon Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/oticon.asp
