St. Louis, Mo. : The Travelers Protective Association (TPA), a fraternal benefit society, will host its first annual “Hear to Win” 5k fun walk/run on Sat., Oct. 8.  The event, to be held at Eco Park located at 1802 N. Second St. in St. Charles, will benefit the TPA’s Missouri Division/St. Charles Post and its Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired.  Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk/run starts at 9 a.m.

Established in 1975, the organization’s Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired provides financial aid to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Grants are used for mechanical devices, medical and specialized treatment, and education that includes speech classes and interpreters.  To date the trust has distributed over $2 million to approximately 5,000 recipients.

Founded in 1890, TPA’s national headquarters is located at 2041 Exchange Dr. in St. Charles, Mo.  The Association is licensed in 29 states and has over 23,000 members, which includes more than 17,000 members who have been a part of the organization for over 25 years.  TPA offers fraternalism to its members, as well as participates in safety projects and community service.  The Association provides accident, disability and death benefits to both its members and their beneficiaries.

“The TPA has never had a fundraiser of this kind, so we hope the St. Louis community comes out to support us,” said TPA’s Chief Administrative Office Albert M. Shoemaker, Jr.

TPA established the Homer T. Wilson Fund, which provides emergency financial aid and is designated for indigent members, widows, widowers and orphans.  The Association is also involved with Children Have An iDentity (CHAD), a local and national level safety sticker program.