Deaf Today: Walk raises money for three deaf charities

November 13, 2003

Walk raises money for three deaf charities

From: - Nov 13, 2003

By: News 8 Austin Staff

You can lend your walking shoes to help the deaf and hard of hearing. On Saturday, Sprint, the Texas School for the Deaf and the Austin Interpreters for the Deaf host their fourth annual fundraising walk.

For more information, you can go to RunTex's Web site or call (512) 873-1012.

News 8 Austin’s Todd Boatwright spoke with walker Randall McKee and interpreter Amy Kalmus about the event.

Q: Tell us about the Sprint Relay. What is it and who does it benefit?

A: The Sprint Walk is in its fourth year now. We do it at the Texas School for the Deaf. It’s to raise money for three organizations in Austin-Travis County that serve the deaf and hard of hearing communities … Camp Sign, which is a summer camp for kids … Deaf Abused Women and Children Advocacy Services … and then Travis County Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing … The money that we raise specifically goes to help with their holiday programs where they allow people to do video calls back home.

Q: Why is this so important?

A: These services that are provided… are needed and, of course, like anything else it takes money to do that … Sprint is our major sponsor. Sprint has a contract in the state of Texas to provide relay telecommunication services for the deaf and hard of hearing. And the employees at Sprint Relay Texas we believe its part of our duty to give something back to that part of that community that makes it possible for us to have our job.

Q: How can someone get involved?

A: You can give us a call through Friday afternoon at (512) 873-1000 and ask about the Sprint walk. Or, just come out the Texas School for the deaf on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for registration to into the walk. It’s $20.