KU Football Head Coach and Chair of the Audio-Reader Golf Classic, Lance Leipold (center), poses with Allworth Financial sponsors and A-R Golf Committee members, Jim Moore (left) and Pete Knutson (right).

The 14th Annual Golf Classic, held on June 5th at the Eagle Bend Golf Course, was a tremendous success, raising over $39,000 for Audio-Reader! KU Head Football Coach Lance Leipold, serving as chair for the third consecutive year, kicked off the event with inspiring words for participants. Golfers enjoyed competing in the 'Beat the Coach' challenge with KU Women's Head Golf Coach Lindsay Kuhle and testing their skills against KU golfer Hanna Hawks. With 100 golfers participating and a waitlist for teams, the event was well-received. A highlight from the day was hearing from William Hawkins, an Audio-Reader listener, who shared firsthand the impact of the service for people who are blind or visually impaired.

We would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Allworth Financial, volunteers, and participants whose contributions made this tournament a resounding success!

Audio-Reader listener William Hawkins speaks with golfers during the lunch, sharing how much of an impact Audio-Reader has made in the lives of so many.

KU Women's Head Golf Coach, Lindsay Kuhle, shakes hands with a golfer before teeing off. Golfers had the chance to compete against Coach Kuhle in a "Beat the Coach" contest on one of the holes.

Thank you to all of our golf sponsors!

Audio-Reader Summer Fund Drive Kicks Off Soon

Be on the lookout for a letter hitting your mailbox from Audio-Reader this summer as Audio-Reader's Summer Fund Drive kicks off soon. Audio-Reader's services continue to grow and with your support, we can ensure all listeners needs are met.

Over the past year, Audio-Reader has had:

• 3,300+ unique Amazon Alexa listeners access our content
• 4,500+ website visits to stream content
• 10,000+ Telephone Reader calls
• 76 Closed-Circuit Radios distributed

We hope you'll consider supporting Audio-Reader this summer!

Audio-Reader Wins

International Award and Recognition

Audio-Reader was recently recognized for excellence in programming by the International Association of Audio Information Services during its annual conference, June 12-14.

The audio tour of the City of Lawrence's Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition won the Program of the Year Award in the Consumer Information category. Volunteer Tracy Harrison (pictured on the left in the first picture) voiced this audio tour of the sculpture exhibit.

Audio-Reader also received honorable mentions for a promotional piece for audio description services, voiced by volunteer Steve Grimm (pictured on the left in the second picture), and for the 'Good Works in the Heartland' podcast episode "Medicare Open Enrollment."

Congratulations to everyone involved with these awards!

Audio Description

Season Underway

Audio-Reader has been busy providing audio description of live performances at several theaters. We partner with many theaters and other organizations to help bring more meaning and enjoyment to entertainment experiences for people who are blind or visually impaired. When you support Audio-Reader, you also are supporting accessibility to the arts and entertainment culture. We have a full slate of audio description this summer. Be sure to check out all of our events. Maybe we'll see you at a performance this summer!

Why I Give

Mark Praeger, pictured on the right, with Randy Austin, Audio-Reader Advisory Board Chair

From Fairway to Philanthropy: Dr. Mark Praeger's Journey with Audio-Reader

In the picturesque setting of a golf course, where camaraderie and competition blend seamlessly, Dr. Mark Praeger's journey with Audio-Reader began. It was 2014 when Randy Austin, Chair of Audio-Reader's Advisory Board, introduced Dr. Praeger to the mission and community of Audio-Reader. What started as a favor to a friend (the two have been friends since meeting as Delta Upsilon fraternity brothers at KU) soon blossomed into a passionate commitment to a cause close to his heart.

Save the Date: Next Audio Sale

Audio-Reader's next Audio Sale will take place at the Lawrence Public Library on Saturday, September 14 from 10am-4pm at the Lawrence Public Library Auditorium. Find vintage and modern audio equipment, vinyl records, musical records, cassette tapes and much more! All purchases benefit Audio-Reader.