$87,000 Raised For Kids At Hearing Center By Polk County Officer

LAKELAND, FL — A Polk County Sheriff's Office lieutenant who was inspired by a personal experience of a child's speech impairment raised more than $87,000 for the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center, which won him the title of 2020 Mr. Central Florida.

Lt. Jim Ostojic has participated in many charity events during his almost 26-year-law-enforcement-career. When he was nominated for Mr. Central Florida, he knew he wanted to help children who needed hearing and language services.

"This event touched my heart on a personal level when recently a friend's child was having difficulties with speech and hearing," Ostojic told Patch in an interview. "He is extremely important to me as he is my daughter’s best friend. He was losing confidence and acting out because no one could understand his speech. After going through evaluations and therapy from the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center, the child’s speech started to greatly improve. This led him to gain his confidence back not only with adults, but with kids his own age, too."

After Ostojic became a candidate for Mr. Central Florida, he toured the speech and hearing center and was inspired by the many services offered to children and adults who struggle with hearing and speaking. In the same week he took this tour, Ostojic was approached by a man at another event who emotionally told him that for a long time he couldn't figure out why a child he was helping raise kept acting out.

He thought the child had behavioral problems. It turned out the boy was trying to express that he had hearing problems, and a test at the hearing and speech center gave them that answer and helped solve the issues.

Ostojic raised a total of $87,896.11 in the charity event. Proceeds go toward the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center. More than 80 children will get the speech and hearing therapies they need.

Ostojic was honored at the Lakeland Beef 'O Brady's in November. Father and son co-owners, Andy and Don Bosko hosted the event. Don Bosko participated in last year's Mr. Central Florida, and served as Ostojic's campaign manager helping him raise money.

"Because of the pandemic, there were so many community and charitable events cancelled," Don Bosko said. "We are so grateful for the community continuing to support this initiative during this time, and for continuing to safely contribute to our events."

For more information about getting help for a loved one that might be experiencing hearing or speech impairments, visit Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center.

Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center is located at 3020 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland.