Back in June, I mentioned how I had the pleasure of going on a photowalk with one of my readers, Chris Stern, while attending a conference in Boston. Chris and I had exchanged a few emails and Tweets and I was certainly aware of his photography skills through his contest entries. So, it was great to finally meet him in person.

As we finished up our time together, Chris mentioned to me that he was going to be participating in the Walk4Hearing to help raise awareness about hearing loss. He shared with me the success he had in the past in his fundraising efforts and that he wanted to really step it up and do something special this time around.

Since then Chris, Rob Jones (Towner Jones Photography, LLC) and I put our heads together and have teamed up to organize a silent auction to help raise awareness for this great cause.  To  help Chris reach his goal for the walk we are auctioning off a number of limited edition 11×14 prints, through a generous donation of printing by our friends over at Mpix.

We have been fortunate enough to gain the support of some extremely talented photographers who have donated prints including:  Dave Cross, Ivan Makarov, Jeff Revell, Laurie Excell, Matt Kloskowski, RC Concepcion, Roger Madsen, and Stephen Zeller. Of course Chris, Rob and I have put up a few prints too.

To get a fuller picture of the real heart behind this auction, and the cause as a whole, why don’t we turn to Chris and hear a little of his story:

Hello,

My name is Christopher Stern.  I have been hearing impaired all my life and wore hearing aids until I experienced additional loss of hearing in February 2005.  After numerous hearing tests, I was approved for my first Cochlear Implant in June 2006.  A year later, I received approval for my second implant in July 2007.  I am happy to say that both implants were a success and I am hearing more than ever before.

Here is an example of I how privileged I am to receive this technology.  Soon after receiving my first cochlear implant, I was on a ride with my in‑laws.  We pulled over to the side of the road and my mother‑in‑law asked if I heard the sound outside the vehicle.  The sound was of a cricket chirping and it was the first time I had heard one.  The power of this technology is amazing and I can only imagine what is in store for the future.

Did you know that over 36 million adults have hearing loss?  Chances are you know at least one person who has been affected by hearing loss and that is why I am taking part in the New England Walk4Hearing to be held at Artesani Park in Boston, MA on October 25, 2009.  The mission of the walk is to increase awareness about the causes and consequences of hearing loss and to raise funds to provide information and support for people with hearing loss.  I was privileged to participate in the New England Walk4Hearing in 2007 and raised over $2100 to support the hearing loss community.  Now, I am looking to eclipse that goal and raise even more money for this cause.

Back in 2007, I was introduced to photography by my mother and have been hooked ever since.  I can usually be found taking photos on the weekend and editing my photos during weekdays.  I share my photos with the online community via Flickr or contests through various photography blogs.  Early this year, I participated in the Towner Jones Photography and Jason D. Moore Photography monthly contests.  I have been fortunate enough to win a few of the monthly contests, which continues to provide me with inspiration to take even more photos.  It was through the communication with Rob and Jason that I was able to connect with them on a personal level and gained their support for the Walk4Hearing.

We are very excited about this opportunity and hope you will join us to help raise money for the Walk4Hearing.

Thank you for your time and remember, “Hear now and always.”

Full details on how to bid on the prints and to support Chris, whether you try for one of the prints or not, can be found on our Walk4Hearing Silent Auction page on the Towner Jones Photography Blog.

*100% of the proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Walk4Hearing.