Sertoma Foundation Encourages Drivers To “Check The Box”

Nov. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- A voluntary check-off program on your driver license and motor vehicle renewal can make a huge difference in just one child’s life ... most likely many more. The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida is currently working on building awareness for the Children’s Hearing Help Fund (CHHF) and how each one of us can help a baby or child hear better just by checking the box.  

“What it’s all about is encouraging drivers who are renewing their license or motor vehicle registration to check the box for CHHF and add a dollar or more to their fee, and when they do that amount will be donated to the organization through the Department of Motor Vehicles,” said the Executive Director of the Sertoma Foundation, Craig McCart.

“The voluntary check-off program on your driver license and motor vehicle renewal helps CHHF gather the necessary funding to provide products and services that include educational and financial assistance for hearing related issues that affect children from newborns to 18 years of age.”  

This assistance encompasses hearing evaluations, newborn identification and diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aids, loaner hearing aids and devices, earmolds and the ongoing maintenance and replacement of those aids and devices.  Since September 2004, CHHF has provided funding for more than 1,800 appointments at a value in excess of $1,000,000 for babies and children throughout the state of Florida.

It’s as simple as checking the box on your driver license and motor vehicle renewal form and donating a dollar to make a world of difference for a child. “Just ask the clerk to offer you the donation opportunity when renewing,” added McCart. Learn more by going to www.familyhearinghelp.org.

Hearing Loss is the most common birth defect nationally. Early detection and intervention is vital for an infant to have the opportunity to access speech and other sounds for learning and brain development. The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida assists hard of hearing babies and children to hear the world around them so they can succeed personally, academically and socially.

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The mission of the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida is to provide quality developmental and rehabilitative services, products and education--primarily to children--throughout Florida, in a caring and compassionate environment, never limited by the ability to pay.