During the month of November, we invited our community to nominate friends and loved ones that they believe deserved to win free premium hearing aids as part of our ‘Hear for the Holiday’s competition.
This unique competition was our way of giving back to our community and ensuring that nobody needlessly endures the holidays feeling isolated because of hearing loss.
We had over 40 incredible nominations.
It was a difficult process to select the winner, and many of the heartfelt entries had our team in tears as we read the hardship and stories of people within our community that were missing special moments because of hearing loss.
But after much consideration, we decided upon a winner.
The winner was an amazing father and veteran called Lee LeJeune.
Lee was nominated by his daughter and her entry on her father’s behalf had our entire team at breaking point.
Here are her beautiful words:
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I would like to nominate my dad, Lee LeJeune.
He grew up in Jennings, LA, the fourth of five children.
They were very poor growing up, and for Christmas gifts were donated by the local church.
In 1960, Lee married Shirleen LeJeune, and next June they will celebrate 60 years of marriage.
Lee was drafted into the Army shortly after they were married where he served proudly and honourably. After being discharged Lee and Shirleen wanted to start and a family.
But after 9 years of being unable to conceive a baby, I was blessed to be adopted by my parents
They picked me up at the Catholic Diocese in Shreveport at just 2 weeks old. My dad worked very hard and long hours to make sure that his family was taken care of.
Lee worked in the fertilizer and rice seed industry for years around loud machinery, effecting his hearing greatly.
Dad worked sometimes 16 hours days,7 days a week during planting season, only coming home to shower and sleep a few hours to go back and start his day all over again. Never complaining and always putting my mom and myself first. My dad worked full time till he was 74 and then part-time for the next 4 years.
Since fully retiring, Dad has had an arterial valve replacement in September of 2018, gall bladder surgery in July of this year and has recently in October had a complete shoulder replacement due to severe arthritis.
At 80, he has exceeded the expectations of doctors and is doing great with physical therapy. But most of all through everything he never complains.
Dad does have severe hearing issues and often misses most conversations. To enjoy any television program, the volume has to be extremely loud for him to hear.
Definitely NOLA Saints football games for sure. Dad and Mom live babysitting their great grandkids, and most times Dad doesn’t hear the kids clearly like he would like too.
Dad would never admit to you needing hearing aids because of the cost and would not take from his family.
My Dad would be humbled and grateful to be chosen as the recipient for this years Christmas gift of hearing aids.
I love you Dad,
Always your daughter,
Julie.
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This heart-jerking story made us desperate to meet Lee and fit him with premium hearing aids to reward him for all he has given throughout his life, and ensure he can cherish every special moment with his beloved grandkids.
The special moment when Lee was rewarded as the winner was caught on camera as his daughter Julie read out her nomination, which had her mother and father in tears.
We are so thankful to help and are so proud to bring joy to this special family throughout the holiday season and beyond.
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If you did not win, then the good news is that the runner-up will be announced soon.
If you didn’t enter the competition, then we are planning to run the campaign again in November 2020 – but don’t allow 12 months to go past without taking any form of action, schedule an appointment with us today to have a conversation to see how we can help.
