Ear Community Proudly Becomes a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization…

I am pleased to announce that as of August 16, 2012, Ear Community became a non profit organization.  Ear Community will continue to help individuals, families, and medical professionals around the world learn more about Microtia and Atresia including their options along with advocacy.  Ear Community is also a global organization and plans on helping and connecting people all over the world.  This past summer, Ear Community was able to host seven summer picnics for Microtia and Atresia families in both Canada and in the US (Toronto, Calgary, California, Colorado, Texas, New York, and New Jersey).  This up coming summer (2013), Ear Community plans to host at least seven more picnics around the world including in CA, CO, IL, OH, and FL and in the UK and in Spain.  Now that Ear Community is a non profit organization, through the help of donations and funding, Ear Community hopes to be able to help even more families across the world by being able to help donate sound processors to those who have been denied insurance coverage or who simply can not afford an aided bone conductive hearing device, help some families with travel costs and hotel stay costs when planning for surgery, and award some college scholarships to young children and teens who would like to keep their Microtia ears (as not everyone desires ear reconstructive surgery).  In addition, I hope to be able to host more conference calls helping families with Microtia/Atresia, Goldenhar Syndrome, Hemifacial Microsomia, and Treacher Collins.  I am really very excited about what the future brings for Ear Community.  The Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Facebook will continue to be a part of Ear Community.  If you know someone who is looking for an organization to donate to or enjoys giving, please let them know about Ear Community.  Ear Community’s Tax ID # is:  84-1246756.  Please visit http://www.broomfieldfoundation.org/donate-now and select the drop down box under “choose a fund” and select “Ear Community.”  Most major credit cards are accepted and if you would like to write a check, please simply note “Ear Community” in the memo area of the check.  When mailing a check, please mail to the following address:

Broomfield Community Foundation
C/o: Ear Community
P.O. Box 2040
Broomfield, Colorado 80038 (USA)

This is a wonderful cause to help contribute to and be a part of helping so many Microtia children and their families learn about their options, be able to share experiences with one another, and realize that they are not alone.   Medical professionals applaud Ear Community’s efforts along with enjoying mingling with families in a relaxed environment while being a part of our picnics.  Education is key and can help everyone make the right decisions that are the best for them individually.

Details and deadlines on how to apply for these opportunities and where to send your letters for qualifying for help with travel costs, hotel stay costs, and sound processors/Bahas will be posted in the weeks to come on our website and on our support group.  All individuals who are selected will be randomly selected.  Unfortunately, not everyone can be helped, but Ear Community will help as many people as it can.

Thank you so much and I look forward to growing the organization!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder of Ear Community
Founder of the Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Facebook