THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA LIONS HEARING FOUNDATION
The Western Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the deaf and hearing impaired by providing funds for research, surgery and hearing aids for those individuals who can benefit from new surgical techniques and devices designed to overcome hearing impairments.
The Foundation’s History
Originally founded in 1979 as the Western Pennsylvania Ear Bank and Research Institute by Pennsylvania Lions Club District Governors from six (6) Western Pennsylvania districts, the organization initially collected tissue for research and clinical uses. As technology progressed, the Ear Bank became obsolete and the Foundation was established in 1986.
Today, the Foundation’s board consists of two Lions Club members from each district in the Western Pennsylvania region, members at large, an executive director and a medical director.
Foundations Proud Past
Over the past 25 years the Lions Foundation has been working with the Physicians and Audiologist at UPMC Eye and Ear Institute to help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to recognize the sounds of the world that you and I take for granted. The Lions Hearing Foundation has provided funds for cochlear Implants. The purchase of Electro-Larynx devises for those who lost their voice box either by accident or cancer. The Lions Hearing Foundation has purchased Audiology equipment for the testing of individuals who have hearing impairments. We also purchase hearing aids for individuals who meet the financial requirements.
Present
The Foundation has adopted as its mission, to provide assistance to adults and children by purchasing audiology devices that will improve the hearing of those who have hearing impairments.
How can you help?
The Western Lions Pennsylvania Hearing Foundation has no paid personnel. The Executive Director, Medical Director and the Lions board members are totally a volunteer group. This enables the Foundation to return all resources to individuals in need of assistance. The Foundation relies solely on donations from Lions Clubs and grants from other sources.
Financial support from contributors like you is the Foundation’s only source of funds. Your contribution can help ensure that there will be adequate funding to continue providing service for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
If you or your Lions Club or organization is interested in having a presentation or if you are interested in making a donation contact Lion Carl Battistone at 412.831.0540 or Lion Jack Schimmel at 412.683.4828