NBA Cares along with Minnesota Timberwolves players and team owner Glen Taylor joined with a network of distributors from Starkey Canada and the Starkey Hearing Foundation to distribute much-needed hearing aids to 1,106 children. The children received more than 2,200 hearing aids during the four-day mission, running October 2 thru 5. NBA representatives completed the mission trip in conjunction with the Starkey Hearing Foundation in an effort to fulfill the foundation's commitment to helping the world to hear.
On hand to assist Bill Austin, founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation, were NBA commissioner David Stern, 14 Timberwolves players and NBA legends Clyde Drexler, Dr J and BJ Armstrong. As a part of the mission the 1,106 children fitted with hearing aids also received training on hearing aid care and maintenance and a supply of hearing aid batteries.
On Oct. 4, during the team's training camp in Istanbul, the Timberwolves dedicated a new NBA Cares Learn & Play Center presented by Taç, at Avcilar Atatürk Ilkögretim Okulu, a school affected by the devastating earthquakes of 1999. The center will feature a newly created basketball court and Reading & Learning Center for the community, giving the kids access to educational resources and a safe place to play. Taç sponsored 50 of the children who received hearing aids, allowing them to witness the Timberwolves compete against Efes Pilsen Istanbul on Oct. 6 at Istanbul Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall.
Number Helped: 1106
Sponsor: NBA Cares, Minnesota Timberwolves, Starkey Canada
"It's a very humbling experience to go on a trip like this and see the incredible need that exists in the world," said Taylor. "But it's also very rewarding to know that we helped 1,106 people hear, many for the first time ever."
More information about the Starkey Hearing Foundation can be found at www.sotheworldmayhear.org or the Starkey Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/starkey.asp
Minnesota Timberwolves and NBA Partner with Starkey in Turkey
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