The Gift of Hearing Will be Delivered Free to Over 75 Beneficiaries, as Speedway Children's Charities and the Starkey Hearing Foundation Host 'Get in Gear to Help Children Hear'

CONCORD, N.C., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedway Children's Charities and the National Rifle Association are partnering with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to deliver the gift of hearing to more than 70 underserved children and adults throughout the Carolinas on May 10, noon to 4pm, at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Members of the media are invited to attend the press conference and celebrity introductions with a welcome by Justin Osmond at 11:00am in the "Victory Circle."

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Richard Petty, seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion will be in attendance to meet the children and sign autographs, along with Brian Bandas, Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson of the American country music band Love and Theft and Brian Ickler and Taylor Malsam, Kyle Busch Motorsports NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers. Other guests include: Al Cecere, president of the American Eagle Foundation with celebrity Bald Eagle, Challenger and Sam Bass, renowned motorsports artist.

The NRA has been a steadfast supporter of Speedway Children's Charities for more than nine years and thanks to their sponsorship, this extraordinary event was made possible.  "It is an honor to be a part of such a spectacular event, one that will change the lives of these children forever, by giving them the gift of hearing," said Saundy Hutto, National Director of New Business Development and Marketing for Speedway Children's Charities. "We are thrilled to team up with the NRA and the Starkey Hearing Foundation to make this event possible. Being able to see the expression on the children's faces when they hear for the first time will be priceless and that is what Speedway Children's Charities is all about."

Through this hearing mission, "Get in Gear to Help Children Hear," the Starkey Hearing foundation will provide hearing devices at no cost. The Starkey Hearing Foundation is a global leader in hearing health care and since 2000 the Foundation has supplied 442,221 hearing aids to people in need throughout 86 countries. Currently the Starkey Hearing Foundation is working toward its goal to deliver one million free hearing aids in this decade. "We live through what we give, and our best work is helping people," said Bill Austin, CEO of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. "We can't do this alone, but together we can say we did something right.

Children will be given the opportunity to hear their first NASCAR race, as each child will receive four tickets to the TECH-NET Auto Service 300, NASCAR Nationwide Series race on May 29, courtesy of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In addition to the hearing aids and race tickets, each child will also receive a gift bag thanks to donations from AutoTrader.com, PPG Industries, Office Depot Foundation, The Kyle Busch Foundation, Mars Inc. and Otis Spunkmeyer.

SOURCE Starkey Hearing Foundation