By Brandi McGrath Kong, Director of Communications & Conferences
 

One of the coolest things I get to do in my job is experience the passion for Service to Mankind through the stories that our members share with me. As I sit down to write this blog with this passion front and center, one name keeps coming to mind: Richard Pocker.

Now, Richard doesn’t know that I am writing this blog, and to be honest, if he knew that I was, he would tell me to focus on the organizations that he works with or the incredible service of his club, the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota. Both the club and his partners deserve that recognition and gratitude for what they are doing to improve the lives of those living with hearing loss. But so does Richard, and thus, here we are.

Richard is a tireless advocate for the life-changing impact of cochlear implants. Almost a decade ago, he received bilateral cochlear implants after living with deafness for 35 years. Since then he has become a published author, podcaster and social influencer on the topic, helping to educate people all over the world about the benefits of this amazing treatment. He leads a hearing loss support group. He is active in his local HLAA chapter and serves on the Ear Research Foundation Board.

He is also his club’s president, so let’s talk about what amazing work the club is doing. The club has brought Sertoma’s AmplifiedHearing program to its community. Together with the local HLAA chapter, they made Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice the first and only fully looped hospital in the state of Florida. The club collects hearing aids for the Hearing Aid Project and shares information about the program with Meals on Wheel recipients. They support scholarships for deaf and hard of hearing students at State College of Florida. They sponsor hearing health speakers in the community to help educate others on the science, risks, treatments and realities of hearing loss. Their annual My Hometown Fest raises thousands and thousands of dollars to support Sertoma Kids. Inc., which provides care and treatment to Florida children with hearing, speech and language needs.

The list goes on and on, and you know how I know about all these amazing acts of service? Because Richard told me. He is not just an advocate for hearing health, he is an advocate for his club and for Sertoma. He does his part in making sure that Sertoma is not a secret in Sarasota and beyond.

So, thank you, Richard. Your passion has inspired me in ways that you will never know, and you make me proud to work for Sertoma. And to the rest of our dear members and readers, I know that Richard will make you feel proud to be a Sertoman too.

To learn more from Richard and the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota, visit:
cochlearimplantbasics.com
Richard on Facebook
Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota
Club on Facebook