The HLAA-Sarasota/Manatee Chapter (Florida) was honored to be the 2017 recipient of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Health Care & Wellness Organization of the Year Award. Organizations were judged on what they contribute to the community, who their workers are, and how involved they are. Board member Dave Donnelly points out the chapter’s involvement in numerous outreach events, including farmer’s markets, monthly membership meetings, and special interest activities happen because many people work together as a team to assure the chapter’s success. This 29 year-old chapter’s mission is to reach and empower more than 145,000 locals with hearing loss to lead more active lives by providing information, education, support and advocacy. They do this by being visibly involved in the community. The Sarasota/Manatee Chapter holds both evening and daytime monthly meetings. It also promotes several special clubs and subgroups within the chapter including a Movie Club, a Theater Club and a Book Club. According to chapter leaders, success and honor have come because of a team effort and the dedication of the chapter’s board and volunteers. This chapter has succeeded because it works hard to make hearing loss an issue of concern by being visible and active in the Sarasota area.
Submitted by JoAnne Devries, Past Chapter President