Dear Play it by Ear Chairperson,

To get strong support from your local newspaper for your Play it by Ear event, do something in the event to show participants what it's like to be deaf. For instance: If you do a Hike for Hearing, have all hikers wear ear plugs for 1/2 mile or so. If you hold a golf tourney, require that holes 4 & 5 be played in absolute silence. Perhaps even provide players with signs to flash on these holes that express their delight or disgust with the shot they just hit.

Why? As the former editor of a newspaper, I can guarantee you that a fresh angle moves your event announcement to the top of a tall heap. All editors receives reams of event announcements. With too many to read and too little space to run them all, they scan through the pile looking for something interesting to put in their papers. Give them this, and you will be rewarded, perhaps even with preferred placement in a well-read section. Don't just take my word for it. Try it yourself and see the results in your local newspaper.

Sincerely,
Bob Sheffels
Communications Manager,
Northwest Lions Foundation
for Sight & Hearing

P.S. Be sure to invite the editor to send a reporter to your event to experience what it's like to be deaf first-hand. It's called a story hook, and there's a good chance your local editor will bite.