Katy Perry, George W. Bush, To Headline Starkey Fundraiser

Former President George W. Bush and pop starKaty Perry will headline this year’s Starkey Hearing Foundation awards gala in St. Paul.

Bush will be honored for working with the foundation to give customized hearing devices to 222 people in Tanzania.

Photo: AP Photo / Keystone, Walter Bieri

Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland

Perry will provide entertainment, along with singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson, the Croatian cello duo 2Cellos and “American Idol” runner-up Jessica Sanchez.

The foundation’s 15th annual “So the World May Hear” gala will be held July 26 at St. Paul RiverCentre.

The celebrity event raised nearly $9 million in 2014 to support hearing health programs and charitable initiatives around the world. Previous guests have included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Richard Branson, singers Reba McEntire, Elton John and Gladys Knight, and tennis star Billie Jean King.