Racing towards a Sound Future
Join us Thursday, May 9th for our 2024 Sound Start Gala
We invite you to our black-tie Gala on May 9th. The night consists of a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, wine pull, sit down dinner and entertainment. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s special Guest Speaker will be Kris Martin, who is a Deaf Race Car Driver and Motivational Speaker.
In 2024, Sound Start Foundation needs to raise at least $750,000 to fully fund the Sound Start Babies Program. We have included various ways to sponsor and participate in our event, which helps babies with hearing loss live limitless lives. Please download our Sponsorship Packet to read more about our Sound Start program, Kris Martin and sponsorship opportunities.
If you are ready to purchase a sponsorship or tickets, please click below to be directed to our Registration site
2024 Sound Start Gala Honoree
Jed A Kwartler, MD
A graduate of UMDNJ, Dr. Jed Kwartler completed his fellowship in Neurotology and skull base surgery at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles. Over his 40 year career, he has advanced hearing science for people of all ages in New Jersey and around the world.
He has served in cochlear implant research trials, as well as Phase 1 and 2 drug trials for tinnitus and sudden hearing loss. He has moved the frontiers of hearing rehabilitation forward with the first pediatric cochlear implant, as well as the first middle ear implant and the first active bone conduction implant in New Jersey.
He is past president of the NJ Academy of Otolaryngology and served on the medical advisory boards of both the NJ and national Acoustic Neuroma Associations, as well as multiple committees of the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
He received an MBA from Rutgers and joined Summit Medical Group in 2005.
2024 Sound Start Gala Guest Speaker
Kris Martin
We are happy to announce that our keynote speaker is Kris Martin, winning NASCAR racing driver and boundary-breaker – who happens to be deaf. His mantra? “Not A Problem”
As much as Kris loves race car driving, his real passion is to speaking to schools and groups all over the globe – inspiring and motivating his young audiences by telling his story.
I want to take all my experience and help kids that are in a similar situation as me and teach them.
I travel all over the world to speak with kids to tell them they can do anything they want to do no matter the obstacle. I want to motivate young people to follow their dreams, even if it is outside of racing.
Racing gave me the confidence to excel in all things in life.
My goal is to show others that they can have the same opportunity.
— Kris Martin
In November 2022, Kris partnered with Kia for a special ad campaign that illustrated “Silence is Powerful”. It featured their all-electric Kia EV6 GT— its high-speed 576 HP engine.
Weighing in on this notion is Kia’s inspiring spokesperson featured in the campaign — Kris Martin, a six-time National Kart Champion, NASCAR, and Le Mans professional race car driver who is deaf. As an advocate, motivational speaker and inspiration for the deaf community and families of those with deaf children, Martin is the perfect example of someone who has defied all odds, and behind the wheel of the EV6 GT, shows how powerful silence can be.
In the quiet campaign, the hero spot, directed by the renowned commercial and feature film director, Marc Forster, shows beautiful shots of Martin racing the EV6 GT along a professional track. Between clips of the stylish and innovative vehicle, Martin signs “I don’t need noise to tell me something is fast” demonstrating the electric car’s ability to go from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds.
Thank You to our 2024 Gala Sponsors!
Driver's Seat Sponsor
Kia America
Monticello Motor Club
PNC Bank
Pit Stop Sponsor
Afonso Foundation
McKirdy Family
Jackie and Alex Mitchell
FinPro Inc.
Paul Miller Porsche
Starting Line Sponsor
Cochlear America
Jack Gentul
Kalfayan Family
McKirdy Riskin Olson & DellaPelle
Peapack Gladstone Bank
Phonak
The Goddard School in Hillsborough
Racing towards a Sound Future Gala
The Mansion at Mountain Lakes
90 Route 46
East Mountain, Lakes, NJ 07046
Gourmet dining. Music. Entertainment.
Dancing. And, most of all,
Great Gratitude to all our supporters.
Let’s Celebrate! Save The Date.
Thursday, May 9, 2024
You can help us make an impact. Donate today!
