Elton John's riveting performance headlined the Starkey Hearing Foundation's fourth annual "So the World May Hear" Awards Gala on July 20, 2004 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The gala raised $2.7 million dollars to help provide hearing instruments to children around the world.
The event honored a variety of exceptional individuals whose contributions to society have benefited many worthy causes, as well as actively supporting the Foundation's mission of helping the world hear. More than 1,500 guests attended the star-studded evening and helped surpass the Foundation's $2 million fundraising goal.
Honorees included internationally acclaimed musician and composer Elton John, talk show host Sharon Osbourne, actor Leslie Nielsen, actor and musician Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.
The evening started with a prerecorded video presentation from Grammy Award winning musician Sting. He welcomed the guests and commended Starkey Hearing Foundation founder, William Austin on his philanthropic efforts to provide hearing instruments to underprivileged children and adults not only in the United States, but also throughout the world.
Austin, who also serves as CEO of Starkey Laboratories said, "We strongly believe in doing our part to make the world a better place - as do this year's honorees and contributors. It's a magical experience to see children's faces light up when they hear again."
Silent and live auctions also helped raise donations for the Foundation. Items included donated sports memorabilia, fine jewelry, furs, vacation getaways and sporting goods. The highlight of the auction took place when Elton John bid and won an opportunity to accompany Austin and his Foundation team on a mission to South America. Elton's generous offer of $100,000 was the evening's highest priced auctioned item.
One of the most eventful moments of the evening occurred when the Starkey Hearing Foundation's 2004 Poster Child was announced. Matthew David Holmstrom, a nine year-old boy who suffers from severe hearing loss was honored for his and his family's courage for the struggles he faces with his impairment. Holmstrom, who was recently fitted with new hearing aids, took center stage with Austin and previous poster children and sang an inspiring rendition of "God Bless America."
The evening featured performances by actress and acclaimed singer Nita Whitaker, J Records recording artist Gavin DeGraw and concluded with a 60-minute solo performance by Elton John. Elton's set included such hits as "Crocodile Rock," "Candle In The Wind," "I'm Still Standing," "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Rocket Man." The capacity crowd honored Elton with a 10-minute standing ovation as the evening ended.
All proceeds from the gala go directly to the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The Foundation has provided more than 102,000 hearing instruments to individuals in the United States and throughout the world since 2000. For every donation of $100 it is possible to provide a child with a hearing aid, earmold, batteries for a year, carrying case, cleaning tools and educational material.
About the Honorees
Elton John
Elton John's commitment to the fight against AIDS led to the inception of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (Los Angeles and London) which has dispersed to date a combined total of grants surpassing $50 million making the Elton John AIDS Foundation one of the largest public non-profit organizations in the AIDS arena.
Elton John, who serves as its Chairman, established the Foundation as an international non-profit organization that provides funding for prevention education programs and direct patient care services supporting men, women, young adults, children, infants, minorities and entire families living with HIV/AIDS.
In 1993, the North American-based Elton John AIDS Foundation established a collaborative effort with the National AIDS Fund, a community based prevention and service provider located in Washington DC. This collaboration was established in order to facilitate the distribution of grants on a nationwide basis. These grants are issued as a challenge to the National AIDS Fund's local community member partnerships, therefore, multiplying the efforts of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
To the man whose monumental international career is a testament to the pursuit of dreams and the importance of nurturing talent, Elton's dedication to the arts and charity has become a way of life. Through his moving, heartfelt songs and his generous spirit, Elton John provides healing and hope both onstage and off.
Sharon Osbourne
Besides working on numerous television projects, Sharon supports a variety of charitable organizations to build colon cancer awareness and started The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Foundation. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. In 2002, approximately 150,000 Americans were diagnosed with the disease and nearly 56,000 died from it. Around the world, half a million people die of colon cancer each year - the third most common cancer worldwide.
She recently received the Spirit of Hope award from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. She also works closely with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In 2002, Elton John, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne hosted a dinner at the Osbourne home in Beverly Hills to benefit both The Elton John AIDS Foundation and The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Foundation. Dame Elizabeth Taylor was also recognized for her dedication to the fight against AIDS and Justin Timberlake was presented an award for his philanthropic efforts in the fight against Cancer. The evening raised over $250,000 for both foundations.
Leslie Nielsen
Besides an illustrious film and television career, Leslie Nielsen devotes much of his time to a variety of charities. His support to The Starkey Hearing Foundation is close to his heart because he suffers from hearing loss himself and works hard to help people who need hearing instruments, but cannot afford them. He also devotes time out of his busy schedule to serve as President of the International Better Hearing Institute working to promote higher levels of education and awareness of hearing impairment and better hearing through amplification.
Leslie is also a tireless advocate for cancer research, and regularly supports the Canadian Humane Society. He said, "Somewhere along the line we have to think about life and what we can do for those who are less fortunate. It's not just a matter of being alive - it's a matter of helping all life itself. That was Schweitzer's philosophy, to revere life, and that is the truth of it."
Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman
Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman brings a sense of dignity, honor, tradition, and heritage to all his pursuits. While working with other creative personnel, he promotes and teaches understanding, tradition and the meaning of all things sacred to Indian people. He continues to pursue his acting career and dedicates his life to the causes of human rights and environmental issues.
Since 1980 his concerts, in support of human rights for indigenous people of the world, have taken him on more than 60 trips to Europe, Central and South America, as well as the U.S. and Canada. As a leader in the North American Indian Movement, he is actively involved in all aspects of human rights including, the recognition of treaty, land and religious rights. In 1999, he was elected national Co-Chair of the Coalition Against Racism in Sports.
To raise funds for the Rain Forest Foundation Project in the early 1990's, Red Crow went on a worldwide tour with musician Sting. His commitment to help stop the deforestation of the Amazon jungle gave him the opportunity to have an audience with many foreign dignitaries including, Pope John Paul II, Prince Charles, and former French President Mitterand.
1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
History has framed the Miracle On Ice as one of those rare sporting achievements that transcend sport. The two hockey games that comprise the "miracle" - the 4-3 win over the mighty Soviets and the 4-2 gold medal victory against Finland - are credited with lifting Americans from a decade of gloom and despair, reviving patriotism and inspiring people throughout the world to work for their dreams.
The 1980 Olympic Team received many accolades after winning the gold medal, including being inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame. In 1999, the team was given the ultimate compliment when Sports Illustrated Magazine voted their moment the number one sports moment of the century. In 2002, they reunited for the honor of lighting the Olympic Flame at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Miracle On Ice endures today because it stands as the rarest of fairy tales: the one that came true.
About The Starkey Hearing Foundation
Founded in 1978, the Starkey Hearing Foundation is dedicated to helping hearing-impaired people worldwide. Its mission is to promote hearing care awareness through the support of hearing research, education and charitable programs. On average each year the Foundation provides more than 50,000 hearing aids to needy individuals, completely free of charge. Through donations of time, money, products and materials, the international outreach program has improved countless lives through better hearing.
In addition to its philanthropic endeavors, the Foundation is committed to providing support and sponsorship of a number of industry-related public awareness campaigns. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.sotheworldmayhear.org
Gala Sponsors
The evening would not have been possible without the support and generosity of many businesses and organizations, which included: Rayovac Corporation, Federal Express, Starkey Laboratories, Knowles, Wells Fargo, Sonion, Gennum Corporation, Audibel, Tennessee Hearing Instrument Specialists, 3Shape, Resistance Technology Inc., 3D Systems, Inc., The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, The Blackburn Fund, Bill Mack, American Hearing Benefits, Jackie Autry, The Gilbert Family, Lewis Enterprises, Jones Audiology and Hearing Centers, In'Tech Industries, Escue, DSP Factory, Henkel Loctite, Gavic Construction, C & K Trucking, Born, Santa Fe Petroleum, LLC, Minnesota Ear, Head & Neck Clinic, Melody and Curtis Martin, Sherrie and Norman Domb, Care Credit, Roitenberg, Walser, McGuire's Hearing Aid Service, H & M Hearing Associates, Southwestern Hearing Centers, Dana and Martha Mathewson, Starkey Canada, Frank and Toby Berman, Coldwell Banker Burnet, Willoughby Hearing Aid Centers, Unisys, Deb and Bill MacMillan, C.W. Healthcare, Sally and George Pillsbury, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dorothy Ebsen, Starkey Hearing Alliance, Wilson Group, Alice and Lou Weiss, Harris Nesbitt, GBK Events, Tomoko and Dr. Cameron Gillespie, Priddis Music, Qualitone, The Blue Grass Hearing Clinic, Micro-Tech, North Star Kitchens, LLC, Creative Concepts, Eclipse Limousines, Omni Hearing Systems, Edwards-Lowell Furs, MAC, Michael Hendrickson Photography, Marriott, Northfield Lines, Rodnik Vodka, Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, Gallery Editions, Chubb, Forsythe, Merrill Lynch, Worrell Design, EAC Design, Magenic, Best Buy, LaSalle Bank, Barbara Hove, IPC, Robbins, Caplan, Miller, Ciresi, Great Clips, Gallagher, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Minnesota Twins, Hearing Unlimited, Hubbard, Inc., Curtin and Rasley, P.A., Sales Growth Specialists, Dakota Valley, Printcraft, Legacy Frontiers, Kokomo Hearing Aid, Pacioli, Norstan, Pediatrix, Minnesota Medical Foundation, Schwegam, Lundberg, Woessner, Kluth, Advanced Hearing Systems, The Sabes Family Foundation, Rocky Mountain Hearing Aid Center, and Hallehand, Lewis, Nilan, Sipkins and Johnson, P.A.
The Starkey Hearing Foundation's Gala Exceeds Expectations By Raising $2.7 Million.
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