Sounding Joy is honored to announce a generous $25,000 personal gift from Steven and Pat Firestone. This contribution has the potential to fund up to 25 professionally fitted hearing aids for as many as 12 children across the greater Tampa Bay area whose families cannot afford essential hearing care.

Steven Firestone is no stranger to giving back. After a storied career as a financial crimes investigator for the FBI, Steven now heads the West Hillsborough County office of Seniors Vs. Crime, an initiative under the Florida Attorney General’s Office that provides free case investigation, education, and restitution assistance for seniors across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and part of Pasco County. Volunteering 30 to 40 hours a week alongside a small team of fellow senior volunteers, Steven and his office helped consumers recover more than $1 million last year alone, tackling everything from contractor fraud to predatory billing practices. Statewide, the Seniors vs Crime Project has recovered more than $28 million for Florida seniors since 2001.

That same spirit of service extends to Steven and Pat’s generosity toward Sounding Joy. Their gift reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the community and ensuring children have access to the resources they need to thrive, directly supporting Sounding Joy’s mission of removing financial barriers that prevent families from accessing life-changing hearing care for their children.

“We are so grateful to Steven and Pat for their generosity and their belief in our mission,” said Christy Vogel, Founder and Executive Director of Sounding Joy. “Gifts like this make a direct and lasting difference in the lives of children who need hearing aids to hear clearly, succeed in school, and reach their full potential.”

Research shows that early access to hearing aids significantly improves academic outcomes, social development, and long-term wellbeing in children. Sounding Joy partners with audiologists and providers across the region to identify children with the greatest need and provide them with the hearing aids, accessories, and services necessary to thrive.

Sounding Joy extends its sincere thanks to Steven and Pat Firestone for their generosity and their shared commitment, across generations, to helping others thrive.

To learn more about Seniors vs Crime, visit www.seniorsvscrime.com.