Sertoma, Inc. supports the important work of The Walker Foundation at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind
March 22, 2017
Sertoma, Inc. has awarded The Walker Foundation, the fundraising arm of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind, a grant in the amount of $5,000 to support a Hearing Aid Loaner Program. This grant award is one of only 22 grant awards given by Sertoma, Inc. during this grant cycle.
“We are very appreciative to the Sertoma International Office for their support of our school,” said Ann Akerman, CEO of The Walker Foundation. “We have been so honored to have the support of our local Sertoma Clubs including the Uptown of Spartanburg Club and the Downtown of Spartanburg Club for decades. The support of the Sertomans throughout South Carolina as well as Internationally, truly makes a difference for our students with a hearing impairment here at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind” continued Akerman.
“As Sertoman’s, we are pleased to be able to offer our assistance in helping to raise awareness of the hearing health initiative that the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind dedicate themselves to on a daily basis” said Gail Noland Dowell, President of Uptown of Spartanburg Sertoma Club. Dowell continued, “Our passion in addition to raising awareness, is to support those whose lives can be improved through better hearing and what better resource do we have within our community other than the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind”.
The award from the Sertoma, Inc. will allow The Walker Foundation to financially support a new Hearing Aid Loaner Program for the students served by the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. The program was created out of a need to ensure that the students did not miss any auditory stimulation including classroom instruction and therapy sessions during times when a student’s personal hearing device is in repair or lost.
“Sertoma, Inc. is pleased to support our National Affiliates who do direct service for those at risk or those who have hearing issues. Our grant program allows Sertoma to help communities across the United States further our mission in a very direct and impactful way. We have been able to award $100,000 in grant awards in the past several years. Gifts from Sertoma members and clubs make our grant program possible”, Holly Walls, Director of Mission Strategies/COO, Sertoma, Inc.
About The Walker Foundation
The Walker Foundation was established in 1979 as a nonprofit organization for the sole purpose of raising public funds to help support the programs and services of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB). It is the only school in the state that is specialized for students who are deaf and/or blind. The main campus is located in Spartanburg, but the school serves students throughout the state with its campus outreach programs. Through education, we seek to build understanding, acceptance, and support for children with a vision and/or hearing impairment. For more information about this topic visit www.walkerfdn.org, or to schedule an interview with Ann Akerman, please call 864-577-7583 or e-mail at [email protected].
About Sertoma, Inc.
Sertoma is one of the oldest service clubs in the United States. Sertoma, Inc. operates nationwide, with deep roots in the communities we serve at the local level. Sertoma, Inc. seeks to transform lives by meeting the needs of communities through volunteer services; creating communities of change under common leadership and with common voice that will serve the many in need; and improve the quality of life today for those at risk or impacted by hearing loss through education and support. Sertomans are men and women who understand that they can accomplish more together than we can alone. For more information about Sertoma, Inc. visit www.sertoma.org
