Garth Brooks, Jon McLaughlin, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Raise Their Voices To Help Starkey Hearing Foundation

EDEN PRAIRIE, MIN. (Top40 Charts/ Starkey Hearing Foundation) - Through emotional and energetic performances, Garth Brooks, Jon McLaughlin, and Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo helped the Starkey Hearing Foundation, a world leader in promoting hearing health awareness, raise a record $5,045,000 at its annual "So the World May Hear" Awards Gala, held Saturday, June 14 at the RiverCentre in Saint Paul, Minn. With money raised at the Gala, the Starkey Hearing Foundation will travel the world donating hearing instruments to children in need.

"Because Garth performs so rarely, it was a true honor to have him headline this year's Gala and help the Foundation raise an extraordinary amount of money to help give the gift of hearing to those in need all over the world," said Bill Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. According to Austin, Brooks stepped in as headliner when the original event headliner had to cancel unexpectedly.

"The Starkey Hearing Foundation is a charity that Trisha believes in strongly and supports enthusiastically. Garth was as much supporting her as he was Starkey by stepping in to perform, and we are truly grateful." Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks' wife, has partnered with the Starkey Hearing Foundation on its public awareness campaign, Sound Affects, designed to educate the public on responsible listening.

"Starkey does amazing things for all people," said Brooks. "They see no flags, no income levels, no colors...just the need. These people are truly angels on this earth."

In addition to live and silent auctions and spectacular entertainment, the evening also included the Foundation's recognition of four individuals for their significant contributions to humanity. This year's honorees, all of whom attended this year's event, included Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King, Major League Baseball legend Whitey Herzog, and Twin Cities philanthropists Bill and Teri Popp.

The star-studded evening was attended by more than 1,500 supporters, including such VIPs and celebrities as former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, NBA legend Rick Barry, author and former cyclist Dan Buettner, former astronaut Scott Carpenter, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, comedian Norm Crosby, actor Robert Culp, actor Lou Ferrigno, Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, TV personality Alan Kalter, singer-songwriter Crosby Loggins, singer Sam Moore, golf legend Arnold Palmer, actress Marion Ross, former baseball great Ozzie Smith, actress and model Cheryl Tiegs, singer Lucy Walsh, singer- songwriter Paul Williams, and others.