Lend an Ear Outreach hosted a masquerade party on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 3 Palms Grille in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The fundraising event featured Air Force ROTC cadets welcoming guests at the entrance, live music, drinks, food, games, raffle prizes, a wine toss and more. The main goal of Lend an Ear Outreach is to provide the gift of hearing by furnishing hearing aids to those with limited or no means.
"The mission for Lend an Ear has never changed," event emcee Parker Cates said. "We have always had the same purpose, and we always have new ideas."
Although the nonprofit has struggled in the past, Cates said, the organization has been recently rejuvenated and is making a real impact on the lives of those without the means to treat their hearing loss. In particular, Cates said Lend an Ear Outreach helps keep kids in school by offering them hearing aids that allow them to learn in the classroom like other students.
"There are kids all over the country that go to school and drop out of school because they can't hear," Cates said. "Teachers never know this. Kids won't raise their hands, they're ashamed. But that's not going to be the case in St. Johns County."
Cates added that Lend an Ear is working with the St. Johns County School District to make sure students with hearing loss are given a chance to succeed academically.
"In our initial meetings we identified 900 homeless children in St. Johns County," Cates noted. "We didn't believe it. It was crazy. I believe 150 of those (children) have hearing deficiencies."
Cates ended his speech by asserting that Lend an Ear can make an even bigger impact in the near future, and the organization's working relationship with the district is just the beginning. Following Cates, local teachers offered remarks on how the nonprofit is changing the lives of their students.
For more information on the nonprofit, visit www.LendAnEaroutreach.com or email Lendanear@Vicarslanding.com.
