Speech, hearing center hosting dance fundraiser

People will soon be dancing to the sound of charity at a local nonprofit’s fundraiser gala on Sept. 21.

The Albuquerque Speech, Language and Hearing Center is hosting its biggest event of the year, Let’s Be Crystal Clear, at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town on Sept. 21.

“We invite anyone — with or without hearing or speech issues — to dress up, enjoy live music, dinner, and bid on amazing auction items while helping those in need,” wrote executive director of ASLHC Tammy Litts in a news release last month.

Gala ticket sales will cover the cost of the event, and items sold in the silent auction will help the organization provide new, state of the art hearing aids to ASLHC patients at no cost to them. In addition, the Anderson Charitable Foundation has promised to match all proceeds from the gala up to $25,000 dollars, according to the release.

“ASLHC provides technologically advanced hearing aids to all patients,” Litts wrote. “Our annual Gala is essential when it comes to helping those who cannot afford the costs of services on their own.”

According to the news release, ASLHC helps more than 2,300 New Mexicans each year with speech and hearing services, ranging from articulation delays to disorders associated with autism, Down syndrome, motor speech disorders and more.

The silent auction items will include a three-night “R&R package” for couples at Sunrise Springs Spa Resort in Santa Fe, a Casa Rodena Winery tour and tasting, gift cards to multiple restaurants, art, jewelry and more.

The gala kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Tickets sales close Monday and cost $70 each or $650 for a table of 10.