Former President Inspires
Speech & Hearing Fund Drive
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After Bill Clinton delivered an inspiring, 20-minute speech at a fundraiser for the Lexington Hearing & Speech Center in August, he waded into the crowd of nearly 500 people, who greeted the former president like a rock star.

It was a golden moment for the visitors -- and especially for the Hearing & Speech Center.

Clinton kicked off the Center’s $3 million capital campaign to replace its buildings on Ashland Avenue. His appearance at the 50th anniversary celebration at the R.J. Corman Railroad Group aircraft hangar in Nicholasville helped raise $300,000.

Staff are still basking in the glow of the memorable visit. Clinton donated his time in part because of his own hearing loss.

He was fitted with a hearing aid during his second term in office.
“It was a wonderful night, and the response and feedback have been fantastic,” said Lori Shepherd, the Center’s executive director.

Before his speech, Clinton visited the Center, sitting on the floor cross-legged with 25 children who performed a song for him. He talked to each child and dished out a bunch of high-fives.

“You are in awe of him but he’s so down to earth you feel like you’ve known him your whole life,” Shepherd said.

In his speech, Clinton likened giving to the Center to the same spirit of the relief effort in Haiti.

“Intelligence and ability and dreams are evenly distributed across humanity,” he said. “Opportunity and organization and empowerment are not.”

Clinton added that $3 million was a small price to pay to help hearing impaired children. Given the response, many seem to agree.