HLAA-PA Awards – 2023

Marcia Finisdore Award for Advocacy

     The Marcia Finisdore Award for Advocacy was established by HLAA-PA in 2004 to honor our first state director. Marcia was a tireless advocate for people with hearing loss throughout her life. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of excellence in improving communication access for hard of hearing people. The criteria for selection are:
       • A positive vision for the hard of hearing community and a continuing commitment to leadership.
       • A demonstrated record of advocacy work for the rights and needs of hard of hearing people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
     Nominations should include a written statement about the nominee and why this individual deserves the award.  Please include contact information for yourself, as well as for the nominee.
Download an  nomination form here in  PDF  or  DOCX   form

     Nominations should be received by March 1, 2023 to Diana Bender, Bender@hlaa-pa.org  or 101 Oakwood Lane, Phoenixville, PA 19460.  

Joe Meyer Memorial Grant

     The Joe Meyer Memorial Grant was established by HLAA-PA to assist Pennsylvania residents with hearing loss for one or more of the following purposes: 
* To purchase hearing assistive technology, including hearing aids
* To cover expenses for cochlear implant surgery 
* To participate in educational programs on coping with hearing loss for personal benefit and/or to help others 
* To attend a college or technical institute 
One grant will be available per year. The HLAA-PA Advisory Council’s Joe Meyer Memorial Grant Committee will select the qualifying applicant. Applicants may be of any age and must meet the following requirements: 
* Be a Pennsylvania resident 
* Have a documented hearing loss 
* Use residual hearing (can utilize hearing aid(s) and/or cochlear implants) to communicate
* Indicate how the funds will be spent and provide a receipt for the purchase or evidence of college/technical institute enrollment
       Grant amount: The recipient will be awarded up to $500.
Download an application form here in PDF  or  DOCX   form

         Submission date:  Application forms may be emailed or mailed (email preferred if possible). Deadline for receipt is April 1, 2023.  For more information, contact Carolyn Meyer, Joe Meyer Memorial Grant Chair, at Meyer@hlaa-pa.org or 1250 Greenwood Ave., Apt. 807, Jenkintown, PA 19046.

Diana Bender HLAA National Convention Scholarship
    The Hearing Loss Association of Pennsylvania (HLAA-PA) has established the Diana Bender HLAA National Convention Scholarship to assist Pennsylvania residents who are members of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) to attend the HLAA convention. One scholarship will be available for a deserving person who is currently involved with hearing loss issues. The HLAA-PA Advisory Council’s Scholarship Committee will select the qualifying applicant. 
When and where is the 2023 HLAA convention? The convention will be June 29 – July 1 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  
     Who is eligible as a scholarship candidate? Any Pennsylvania resident with hearing loss, regardless of age, is eligible as long as he or she meets the following qualifications: The applicant must be a current HLAA member, must have demonstrated an interest in being actively involved with hearing loss issues, and must indicate that a scholarship would enable attending the convention. Preference will be given to those who have never attended an HLAA convention. 

Scholarship amount: The recipient will be awarded $500 (to be applied to transportation, lodging, and meals) plus the cost of registration for the full-activity convention package (includes banquet). Any amount exceeding $500 will be the recipient’s responsibility. The recipient must attend the convention or return the $500. 
     Download an application form here in  PDF  or  DOCX   form
     Submission date:  Application forms may be emailed or mailed (email preferred if possible).  Deadline for receipt is March 1, 2023.  For more information, contact Mitch Bilker, HLAA-PA Scholarship Chair, at scholarship@hlaa-pa.org or 821 Rosehill Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

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