EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Following his appearance at the 10th Anniversary "So the World May Hear Gala," President Bill Clinton will be making a rare appearance in the bluegrass state on behalf of the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center (LHSC) to help the organization celebrate its 50th anniversary.

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President Clinton will be the featured speaker at LHSC's 50th Anniversary Dinner which will be held Friday, August 13th, at the R.J. Corman Railroad Group Corporate Headquarters and Hangar in Jessamine County. The fundraising event, sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation, will kick-off LHSC's Capital Campaign and is expected to draw 500 guests, including political dignitaries, celebrities, and local LHSC supporters.

"President Clinton manages his own hearing loss through the use of bilateral hearing aids and has a special connection to the challenges faced by the children and families served by the center," said LHSC executive director Lori Shepherd.

In addition to its support of the fundraiser, the Starkey Hearing Foundation will conduct a hearing mission prior to the event, providing free hearing aids to students in need. "This is what we do every day here in the US and across the globe," said Bill Austin, CEO and Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. "Giving these children the ability to hear is like turning the lights on. We give them the opportunity to learn, to live and to change the course of their lives in immeasurable ways," says Austin. "The Lexington Hearing and Speech Center is a true extension of our passion. We are grateful to be a part of their event."

Since 1973, the Starkey Hearing Foundation has been serving hearing impaired individuals in over 86 countries, who otherwise cannot afford treatment. Nearly 450,000 free hearing devices have been distributed since 2000 by the Foundation, with a goal to fit more than one million in this decade.

LHSC is a private, nonprofit agency that provides vital services to the state and local community including early identification of hearing loss, preschool and kindergarten educational programs and complete, on-site hearing services. LHSC's preschool program also serves children with speech and language delays, and the center offers an active outpatient clinic for speech, language, and audiology services. In addition to these services, LHSC is home to one of Central Kentucky's most sought after day care facilities.

Representatives of the media are welcomed to attend a facility tour beginning at 4:30pm followed by a meet and greet with attending dignitaries.

SOURCE Starkey Hearing Foundation