Events

It was indeed an “evening of stars” as the Starkey Hearing Foundation held its sixth annual Awards Gala raising more than $4 million to support its work “so the world may hear.” Jay Leno literally auctioned off the shirt off of his back to help reach that grand total. Leno also invited Alan Kalter, the announcer for The Late Show With David Letterman, onstage for a priceless photograph of the two arch-rivals shaking hands, then immediately auctioned off the photo. Leno kept the black-tie crowd roaring with laughter during a nearly 20-minute standup routine that included observations on everything from Anna Nicole Smith to Dick Cheney.

But it was his efforts as a semi-auctioneer that helped boost the coffers of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. At one point he walked out into the audience to have Willie Mays autograph a saucer, which he then auctioned off for $40,000. As a bonus, he auctioned off the Sharpie pen that Mays used to sign the dinnerware.

Musical performances by Freda Payne (“Band of Gold”), Kathy Sledge (“We Are Family”) and Dionne Warwick entertained the crowd. One highlight was the performance of Carl Carlton who belted out “Everlasting Love” and thrilled the crowd with his onstage energy.

It was all a fitting buildup to the headliner of the evening, John Mellencamp, and he did not disappoint. Bouncing onstage with a full band that included a violin and accordion, Mellencamp ripped through a set of his biggest hits, including “Jack and Diane” and “R-O-C-K in the USA” before closing the show with a long version of “Pink Houses.” Somehow his stage presence converted the tuxedoed and evening-gown-clad crowd into a room full of teenagers, as they rushed the stage and sang along with every song.

The evening would not have been possible without the support and generosity of the following: Rayovac, John Moeller, Glen Taylor, Brad Anderson, Dennis Hansen, AMI Semiconductor, Knowles Electronics, Starkey NW, Audibel, Starkey SE, Starkey Canada, Howard & Jeannette Hait, Neil & Sarah Wilson, Martin Audiology, Ed Flaherty, Sonion, Royal Caribbean, Jim Cvetko, CareCredit-SoundChoice, FedEx, Federated Insurance, Wells Fargo, Susan Marvin, Robert & Toni Holt Kramer, Ray & Irene Jones, St. Paul Rivercentre, Ret & Caren Templet, Gennum, Intricon-RTI, Schulze Family Foundation, Frank & Toby Berman Family Foundation, MAC Cosmetics, NFL Alumni, Minnesota Ear, Head & Neck Clinic, Dr. Sanjiv Goel, Bacardi USA, Marriott Minneapolis SW, and Geri Goldberger & Family. We also want to recognize all of the hard work that our volunteers contributed. We could not have done it without you! A/S, Hearing Unlimited, Best Buy, Born, UPS Foundation, Jack Walser/Dean Aikens, and Samsung Electronics America.We also want to recognize all of the hard work that our 180 volunteers put toward this gala. You are the ones that made it work!!!

Photo Galleries

• 2006 | Gala Awards Ceremony
• 2006 | Golf Tournament
• 2006 | VIP Party