Linda Peshek
Quota International of Massillon, OH

Linda Peshek has donated innumerable hours of her time to Quota and has been especially generous in her service to children with hearing loss. She has served as president, treasurer, and board member in her club and has chaired and participated in many committees. Linda never says "no" when asked to assume yet one more duty, and she participates in all service projects and fund-raising. Because two of her three children are deaf and use cochlear implants, Linda can speak from experience when providing understanding and information to families of children with hearing loss. She is actively involved in Natural Communications, Inc. (NCI), a support group for parents of children with hearing loss. Linda has volunteered many hours of her time to the administration of NCI and to the publication of informational books and videotapes, but even more important is the personal, one-on-one time she spends with families of newly identified children with hearing loss. Her name is given to parents all over northeast Ohio. She and her children, who accompany her on these visits, have given numerous families the gift of hope for the future. Linda was also instrumental in the passage of HB 150, Ohio's newborn hearing screening law. Her testimony before the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate was a key factor in passage of this bill, because she was able to persuade legislators of the importance of early identification of hearing loss. Through Quota, and through her personal dedication, Linda has made a difference for children with hearing loss and their families in our community and throughout Ohio.