Danette Driscoll

Spokane HOPE School

310 N. Riverpoint Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 828-1379
danette@spokanehopeschool.org
For Immediate Release
16 February 2016
Karly Hamad
502 E Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258
(800) 900-6754
khamad@zagmail.gonzaga.edu

JUSTIN OSMOND TO SPEAK AT HOEDOWN FOR HOPE FUNDRAISER

Hoedown for HOPE: Spokane HOPE Schools largest fundraiser
Spokane, WA 16 February 2016Spokane HOPE will host the fifth annual Hoedown for
HOPE fundraiser, with guest speaker Justin Osmond, on Saturday, October 1, 2016. The fundraiser will
be a memorable evening including a delicious dinner, music, dancing, raffles, auctions and prizes.
Hoedown for HOPE will be held at the Spokane Convention Centers River-View Ballroom. The event is
the largest fundraiser for Spokane HOPE and provides a large chunk of the organizations cost.
Last years hoedown raised $80,000 with over 250 attendees, which allowed the school to
continue to serve as the regions only early intervention program for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Spokane HOPE Schools Outreach and Development Director, Kim Schafer, says, HOPE looks forward
to building on the success of this fun event and reaching this years goal of $100,000. Thanks to our
generous sponsors, donors and guests, all children with hearing loss will have the opportunity to learn to
listen and talk regardless of their families ability to pay tuition.

-More-

The 2016 Hoedown for HOPE will be even more memorable than past events because
motivational speaker Justin Osmond will be in attendance. Justin was born with a severe 90% hearing
loss, and after 12 years of intense speech and listening therapy, he can now speak and hear. Growing up
with a profound hearing loss and overcoming the hardships, Justin is the perfect speaker for this years
hoedown. Justin pressed forward through his hearing disability and went on to play the violin, viola,
piano and drums. He is a true motivation to many people with hearing loss or deafness. Justin has never
let his hearing loss beat him down and lives by his personal motto, I may have a hearing loss, but that
hearing loss does not have me.
The continuous growth of the Hoedown for HOPE vouches for the incredible support that the
community offers to children with hearing losses. Spokane HOPEs Executive Director, Danette Driscoll,
says, Having such a well-known name at our Hoedown 16 will hopefully increase our communitys
awareness that hearing loss doesnt have to limit a childs dreams. Justin understands first-hand what it is
like to live in a world deprived of sound and will share his story of overcoming the struggles he has
experienced.
Hoedown for HOPE is a crucial event in order for Spokane HOPE to flourish and continue to
help serve children with hearing loss. In the 12th year, Spokane HOPE provides highly specialized,
intensive speech, language and hearing services to children with hearing loss, setting the stage for future
success in school and life.
For more information about Spokane HOPEs Hoedown for HOPE, please contact Danette
Driscoll at danette@spokanehopeschool.org or (509) 828-1379.

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