Beltone Partners with Chicago Sister Cities International to Donate Hearing Aids to the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf in Jordan
CHICAGO, IL (April 23, 2010) – Mayor Richard M. Daley and Todd Murray, President of Beltone Electronics Corporation, welcomed Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan to Chicago on Friday, April 23. Beltone partnered with the newly formed Humanitarian Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) to donate 100 Beltone hearing instruments, worth more than $200,000, to the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf in Jordan. The hearing aids will benefit children with hearing impairment, some with additional disabilities such as cerebral palsy, low vision or intellectual impairment.
The donation was made possible through the strong bonds between the Sister Cities of Amman and Chicago and through the public/private partnership between the City of Chicago and Beltone Electronics.
“Chicago is home to the third largest Arab community in the United States, and our strong Sister City relationship with Amman is the foundation for many positive interactions,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “The children of Jordan will benefit greatly from this generous donation made by the Humanitarian Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International and Beltone.”
Her Majesty Queen Rania, wife of His Majesty King Abdullah bin Hussein, is in town to strengthen the ties between the Sister Cities of Amman and Chicago and to talk about her new book, entitled “The Sandwich Swap.” While in town, she was a guest on Oprah, and visited the Highlands Elementary School, where she visited with students and read them her book.
“Chicago is a great city we are proud to call our sister; the treasured bonds we share have brought us not just partnership, but friendship – a friendship I know will only strengthen and deepen in the years to come. Today, I’m delighted to see our close bonds brought even closer with this generous donation from Beltone; the hearing aids will bring Jordan’s children not just the gift of hearing, but a fuller, more meaningful life,” said Her Majesty Queen Rania.
“Beltone is pleased to provide hearing aids to the deserving people with hearing
impairment at the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf,” said Todd Murray, President of Beltone Electronics Corporation. “This endeavor is part of our global effort to deliver hearing aids to children and adults who might not otherwise have access to quality hearing care.”
In 2007, Beltone partnered with the Amman Committee of CSCI to donate $200,000 worth of hearing aids to the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan.
Chaired by Susan Leonis of the Leonis Group, the Humanitarian Committee of CSCI was created in 2010 to further Chicago Sister Cities International’s mission of promoting Chicago as a global city, developing international partnerships and networks, and sharing best practices on a city-to-city basis.
About Beltone
Founded in 1940, Chicago-based Beltone Electronics is part of the GN Hearing Care Group, utilizing advanced technology to produce hearing instruments sold in the United States, Canada and over 40 countries worldwide. In addition to providing outstanding service and support for its U.S. hearing care network operating in over 1,500 offices in North America, Beltone remains the most trusted brand for quality products and care among its patients and adults aged 50 and older.
About Holy Land Institute for the Deaf
The Holy Land Institute for the Deaf seeks to develop and provide comprehensive services for people who are deaf, deaf blind or otherwise disabled. It wishes to enable and equip them for inclusion and participation in their families and civic society in a meaningful way. This goal is facilitated by encouraging and training others, both disabled and non-disabled, to take on these tasks as well.
About CSCI
Chicago Sister Cities International is committed to promoting Chicago as a global city, developing international partnerships and networks, and sharing best practices on a city-to-city basis. http://www.chicagosistercities.com
