Listen and Talk Awarded 2024 Wilson Trust Award from University-Ballard Lions Club Foundation

KIRKLAND, WA – (June 11, 2024) – In a grand celebration at Seattle’s iconic Pacific Tower Panoramic Center, Listen and Talk Executive Director Maura Berndsen attended the University-Ballard Lions Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Their centennial event was held in Seattle, Washington’s vibrant Beacon Hill neighborhood as they marked a century of impactful community service.

The University-Ballard Lions Club, part of Lions Clubs International and Multiple District 19, has been a pillar of the Seattle community for 100 years. The Club merged with Ballard Lions Club in 2016 and Lake City Lions Club in 2023. They serve local and global communities through projects like preserving sight, hearing, diabetes care, combating disabilities, helping the less fortunate, supporting youth, and responding to natural disasters. Their commitment has significantly impacted local community members and organizations, like Listen and Talk.

Halfway through the festivities, Maura Berndsen proudly accepted a significant $24,306 Wilson Trust grant award for Listen and Talk. This generous donation, provided by the University-Ballard Lions Foundation, will support Listen and Talk’s mission of teaching children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing to communicate and learn through listening and spoken language. “We are deeply grateful for the continued support from the University-Ballard Lions Foundation,” said Maura Berndsen. “This grant will make a tremendous difference in the lives of the families and children we serve and significantly advance our mission and vision.”

Highlights of the evening included hearing inspiring speeches made by presenting celebration speakers and sponsors that showcased University-Ballard Lions Club’s unwavering dedication to community enrichment, witnessing other individuals and organizations receive generous awards and spending time with Listen and Talk Board Member Paul Fenton. 

Congratulations to the University-Ballard Lions Club on reaching this remarkable milestone! We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support of Listen and Talk.  Here’s to many more years of amazing collaboration and impactful community service!