VARIETY INTERNATIONAL, THE Children's Charity dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children around the world made its mark in Las Vegas with their Humanitarian Awards Gala at BALLY's during the Variety International Convention. And what a wonderful event it was. The star-studded black-tie gala honored humanitarian Bill Austin with the prestigious award that formerly honored Helen Keller, Danny Kaye, Audrey Hepburn, Prince Phillip and Princess Anne among others.
An outgrowth of people affiliated with the entertainment industry, Variety International is now a global philanthropic organization that has raised over $1.5 billion from a network of 52 chapters in 14 countries. Attendees from all parts of the world honored Bill Austin, one of the world's greatest philanthropists and head of the Starkey Hearing Foundation whose life-long mission is "to fix the broken ears of the world." The Bill Austin Foundation has supplied 180,000 hearing aids in 80 countries to those who otherwise could not afford them. His encounters with celebrities alone could fill a book. He has personally fitted four presidents with hearing aids and provided hearing assistance to renowned people including Ernest Borgnine, Paul Newman, Kirk Douglas, Walter Cronkite, Sidney Sheldon, Karl Malden and Buzz Aldrin and many others.
Among those attending the event were: Monty Hall, Norm Crosby, Louie Anderson, members of the cast of MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL, Clint Holmes, Kim Richards and the Nellis Air Force Base Soldiers.
As guests arrived, young girls from Australia escorted them to a lovely cocktail reception. Afterwards, these young ladies escorted guests to a ballroom where a silent auction was held. The Awards Dinner was then served, along with music by Steve Beyer and his orchestra.
The best was yet to come. The renowned Monty Hall, who is the International Chairman, served as Master of Ceremonies for the program. He introduced unsurpassed entertainment by comedian Norm Crosby and the music and magic of Garin Bader. An especially poignant part of the program that had the audience on its feet was the singing of Amazing Grace by 10-year-old Mathew Holmstrom who had been deaf and was helped by Bill Austin. The Humanitarian award was then presented by International President, Michael R. Forman to the esteemed honoree, Bill Austin. The evening ended with a Tribute to our troops.
VARIETY INTERNATIONAL, THE Children's Charity dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children around the world made its mark in Las Vegas with their Humanitarian Awards Gala at BALLY's during the Variety International Convention. And what a wonderful event it was. The star-studded black-tie gala honored humanitarian Bill Austin with the prestigious award that formerly honored Helen Keller, Danny Kaye, Audrey Hepburn, Prince Phillip and Princess Anne among others.
An outgrowth of people affiliated with the entertainment industry, Variety International is now a global philanthropic organization that has raised over $1.5 billion from a network of 52 chapters in 14 countries. Attendees from all parts of the world honored Bill Austin, one of the world's greatest philanthropists and head of the Starkey Hearing Foundation whose life-long mission is "to fix the broken ears of the world." The Bill Austin Foundation has supplied 180,000 hearing aids in 80 countries to those who otherwise could not afford them. His encounters with celebrities alone could fill a book. He has personally fitted four presidents with hearing aids and provided hearing assistance to renowned people including Ernest Borgnine, Paul Newman, Kirk Douglas, Walter Cronkite, Sidney Sheldon, Karl Malden and Buzz Aldrin and many others.
Among those attending the event were: Monty Hall, Norm Crosby, Louie Anderson, members of the cast of MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL, Clint Holmes, Kim Richards and the Nellis Air Force Base Soldiers. 
