October 2, 2007
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 foundations 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 teams 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 of hearing instruments distributed: 1106
Sponsor: NBA Cares, Minnesota Timberwolves, Starkey Canada
Its a very humbling experience to go on a trip like this and see the incredible need that exists in the world, said Taylor. But its also very rewarding to know that we helped 1,106 people hear, many for the first time ever.
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View more of this mission at So The World May Hear.