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  News & Press  Press Releases In the News Newsletter
Jamie Lee Curtis PSA
Mobility Spotlight
Illinois & NSDC Team Up
The Gift of Mobility
New York Radiothon
Buffalo Telethon
Gold Medal Winner
Lights! Caring! Action!
Spotlight: Joe Illig
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She has entertained us for years. We have laughed and we have cried with the characters she has played. There is one role that Jamie Lee Curtis cherishes; the role of champion for kids. We are proud to announce the release of a new public service announcement, starring Variety’s kids and Jamie. Together they tell us about the importance of mobility. Jamie talks about the freedom of riding a bike in the new 45 second PSA video. However, for some children, the cost of an adaptive bike is out of reach in the family budget. Your donation will help Variety fund a piece of mobility equipment, or a communication device, and open up opportunities for a child with a disability. This PSA was a labor of love for many people. Variety would like to thank the following people for all their hard work. In Florida: Variety’s Celebrity
Kids in Florida: In California: Variety’s Celebrity
Kid in California: You can also view the PSA on U.S. Variety's mobility page at usvariety.org/programs.html. To make a donation, or to learn about Variety’s Kids on the Go!; call (323) 954-0820. Every child should be able to feel the sun on their back and the wind in their face. 
When Mason outgrew his bike last year, his family wanted to purchase a Balance Bike for him, but found it impossible because of other costs they faced – surgery, a new wheelchair and other equipment for Mason, braces and tonsillectomies for his siblings. Variety helped fund a Balance Bike to help Mason maintain joint range of motion, progress cardiovascular endurance and improve trunk alignment, balance and stability. His family writes, “Mason ABSOLUTELY loves his 2-wheeler. He is accomplishing keeping his feet on the pedals and we are now working on him learning balance. We are overwhelmed by Variety’s generosity to provide Mason with the therapeutic yet fun benefits of his new bike. Thank you!”
On May 9, a free public soccer camp was held at Toyota Park hosted by the National Sports Center for the Disabled (www.nscd.org), the Chicago Fire professional soccer team and Variety of Illinois. 40 kids (ages 6-18) with disabilities, either physical or developmental, were introduced to the sport of soccer. The one-day interactive camp included instruction and skill development, use of equipment, games and prizes; and was administered in part by dozens of friendly Variety volunteers (photographed in red t-shirts). Appearances included Fire players and Sparky, the Fire mascot, whom all the kids absolutely adored. Kris Ekeren, Vice President of National Programs at the National Sports Center for the Disabled, said, “We really appreciated the willingness of everyone to work together to have a successful event. Also, the Variety volunteers that came out to help with the camp were wonderful. I think it's an effective way to collaborate to impact the lives of kids in the community.” Tent 26 has also partnered with the NSCD for additional NSCD sport camps that will take place throughout the summer with the Cubs, Sox and Bears.
Kody and his twin sister were born December 14, 2001, and he was born with Epidermal Nevus Syndrome, which then resulted in Hemimegalencephaly. The Hemimegalencephaly caused Kody to have hundreds of seizures a day. At 11 weeks nothing would stop the seizures so he had to have a drastic procedure called a Hemispherectomy (removal of half the brain). He also contracted Spinal Meningitis from the surgery. It was a very trying time for the family. At the age of 6 months Kody developed Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and had to have an emergency VP shunt put in due to the hemisphectomy. In Kody’s short 7 years of life he has had 13 surgeries including 3 eye surgeries, 2 brain surgeries, double hip osteotomy, heel cord lengthening, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, 4 rounds of botox injections, tubes in his ears, and hardware removal from hips. He will still have to have more surgery in the future including more hip surgery, ear surgery and jaw surgery. Kody has also had over 100 ear infections. His disability affects him in so many ways because he does not walk and he is so heavy and equipment is so expensive. His mother writes, “It is truly so hard to find funding these days to get what you need for your child. I was so thankful to Variety to get me the Stairlifts I needed. Kody is the happiest child you will ever meet in the world and has changed everyone’s life that he has ever come into contact with. He has melted so many hearts that it amazes me every day that he is mine. I love that child more than life itself. His smile is just unforgettable and he knows everyone everywhere he goes. Kody is so smart, loves to learn and loves to go on the computer. He loves to go to the park all the time (even though they have no handicap equipment), he just laughs at all the kids playing. He also loves to swim! Kody loves to watch sports and he loves anything to do with cars and he is the hardest worker ever! Kody’s best friend in the whole world and his biggest motivator is his twin sister. They are inseparable! I would say that the thing that is the best about Kody is how sweet he is and his natural ability to have people fall in love with him no matter where he goes! Kody may not talk well and may not walk well but in this world Kody has no problem fitting in at all.”
How do small acts of kindness gain momentum to raise necessary funds to help children? It happened recently in New York City. The 2009 Variety the Children’s Charity of New York’s Radiothon on February 26th is a perfect example! MTV played a Variety video on their billboard in Times Square. There was a full page color ad in the NY Post and an article in the NY Daily News. Many special guests came out to help including: Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Governor David Paterson, Senator Charles Schumer, Fox 5 News Anchors, Rosanna Scotto and Ernie Anastos and Actor, Danny Aiello. Mayor Michael Bloomberg called in and declared February 26, 2009 Variety the Children’s Charity of New York Day in New York City! With the support of WOR listeners, in-kind donors, sponsorship pledges and dedicated friends, Variety was able to raise over $400,000! All of this could not have happened without the help of our extraordinary volunteers!!! Hosting a successful radiothon begins and ends with volunteer support. From the celebrity support on air, to the person entering pledges into the computer, everyone contributed to making a difference. Volunteers came in beforehand to stuff shirts as giveaways to donors during the 10 hour fundraising drive. On the day of the event, 75 people came out in different shifts to answer phones, manage on-air auctions and monitor the progress of donations. Afterwards, volunteers gave their time to write thank you letters and enter pledges. Throughout it all, the spirit of giving was behind every task that needed to be done. With the support of radio station, WOR 710, Variety had the opportunity to reach thousands of listeners to tell the story of one little girl who started it all and the ongoing mission of helping children around the world. Money raised in New York City will stay in the area to help many children there needing our assistance. Variety the Children’s Charity of New York is constantly on the lookout for volunteers. A few of the ways you can help include the children’s holiday party as well as tasks that need to be done in the office every day. It’s the little things that add up to make major differences. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities in New York City, please contact Amy Monahan, Assistant Director at Variety the Children’s Charity of New York, at (212) 760-2777 or email her at amonahan@varietyny.org.
The 47th annual variety Kids Telethon concluded on Sunday February 22, 2009 at 7pm giving all of Buffalo and Western New York 1,156,877 reasons to smile! The Telethon found a new home. The Grand Ballroom of the remarkable Adam's Mark Hotel in Downtown Buffalo, NY was transformed into a television studio. It was a seamless transition and the hotel accompanies everything that we needed to coordinate the entire Telethon. May 15 -17, 2009 saw Variety celebrate its 75th anniversary in Buffalo. For Buffalo it all started on March 12, 1934 and we have been going strong ever since. The weekend started out with a reception sponsored by Women & children's Hospital Buffalo on Friday at the Buffalo Historical Society, followed by a gala dinner which featured a video tribute and diamond necklace giveaway and a farewell brunch, both at the Adam's Mark Hotel. It was a wonderful weekend and a tribute to all the hard working men and women that have made our great tent what it is today. We look forward to our summer events some of which include the Erie County Fair Wheel of Prizes, Spaulding Lake Brunch and head into fall with our House of Horrors and our 3rd annual Halloween party at the historic Central Terminal.
Amanda McGrory has been a part of the Variety Family since she was just seven years old. That’s when she attended her very first Variety Club Camp. It’s also where she learned to overcome obstacles. At age five, Amanda contracted a rare virus which left her unable to walk. Her parents say she became depressed and wouldn’t eat, but that all changed after Amanda’s parents introduced her to the Variety Club Camp and Developmental Center. There, Amanda met other children with various disabilities. She also credits Variety - The Children’s Charity with inspiring her to get involved in wheelchair sports at an early age.
Now 22 years old, Amanda is a World Record holding athlete, a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and most recently, a Paralympic Gold Medalist! Amanda competed in the 2008 Paralympic Games, which were held in Beijing. Competing on the USA Paralympic Track and Field Team, Amanda brought home four medals: a gold in the Women’s 5,000 Meter, a silver in the Marathon, a bronze in the 800 meter and a bronze in the 4 x 100 relay. Amanda’s father, who held a welcome home and congratulatory party for his daughter at his Kennett Square business, praises Variety for its early impact on Amanda’s life. “If it weren’t for Variety and its donors and sponsors, Amanda probably would not have had the opportunities that she has had so far in her life,” said Tim McGrory. The proud and appreciative father went on to add, “We’d like to thank Variety and all of its donors for The Variety Club Summer Camp and all the support Variety gives to other children with special needs. There are a lot of Amandas out there who need the same support she was given.”
Variety - The Children’s Charity congratulated Amanda for reaching her Paralympic Dreams by recognizing her at its 2009 Children’s Champion Gala. Variety would like to thank Amanda and her family for always giving back to Variety in way of appearances and support. The McGrory’s are truly an integral part of the Variety Family.
Courtesy of: Nina Ronda, The Desert Sun, May 10, 2009 Regal Entertainment Group and Variety of the Desert, the children's charity, created a community fundraiser to assist the youth of Desert Hot Springs. Regal's local theater group hosted a “Paper Hearts” drive in February. The community rallied behind this effort and purchased the $1 paper hearts at the Rancho Mirage Stadium 16, Indio Metro 8, and Palm Springs Stadium 9 cinemas, raising $20,000 for the purchase of a van. The all-new Sunshine Coach, an 11-passenger van, was presented to the Desert Hot Springs Boys & Girls Club on April 23 in honor of Carl Killibrew, retired Rancho 16 theater general manager and Variety board member. Killibrew has been a staunch supporter of Variety's “Arts in Education” initiatives and with Regal Entertainment Group has brought free programs enriching children's lives to the Coachella Valley theaters. “On behalf of the city and the Boys & Girls Club, I want to express our pure joy that Variety of the Desert has partnered with the city as we undertake the challenge of improving our community,” said Rick Daniels, city manager of Desert Hot Springs. “We are striving to rid this community of criminals and continue to empower the residents to be involved in the community working with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club. “Your gift will truly make a difference in the lives of children in this community,” he said.
The excitement and glamour of Hollywood came to “Hollywood East” on Oscar Night. Variety—the Children’s Charity of Florida members had the opportunity to experience the thrills and surprises of the 81st Academy Awards® on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at Orlando’s own Oscar Night America® party. The Orlando event is one of 52 official parties sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held across the country each year on Oscar Night. Variety Florida’s Oscar Night celebration in Orlando was held in two locations this year—a “Viewing Party” at Regal Cinemas at Pointe Orlando and a special “VIP Party” which included glamorous gift bags for all who attended and VIP passes to the theatre, where the awards could be watched on the silver screen. This was the 16th year that the Academy and local ABC affiliates have cooperated with local charities to support official Oscar Night viewing parties throughout the country. This year marks the ninth year that Orlando party has been sanctioned by the Academy. The Academy provides party guests the same official program distributed to guests at the Oscarâ presentation at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood. This was the second year for Regal Cinemas to partner so closely with Variety for this special night… and it's an alliance both hope will continue for a long time! “Oscar Night America parties give communities across the country the opportunity to both share in the excitement of Oscar Night and support worthy causes,” said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis. “And it’s terrific that a worldwide television event can benefit so many charities on a local level.” This year’s event raised over $10,000 for Variety Florida! Official Oscar Night parties last year raised more than $3.3 million in 51 cities. All money raised stays in the local community. “Oscar Night generates excitement all over the world,” said Tom Endre, Variety Florida Board President. “With the Academy’s help, our guests will feel like they are on the A-list. We had an incredibly enthusiastic this year and hope to raise even more money for Variety’s Kids with the 2010 event.
“It all comes down to the heart!” Board member, Joseph Illig, spoke with passion about his involvement with Variety – the Children’s Charity. As a child, Joe was active in his local Boys and Girls Club in Texas. Years later, while attending a ShoWest event, he heard about Variety’s outstanding work on behalf of children across the country. Joe, who is always willing to give back to the community, contacted the US Variety office to learn how he could become involved. The first endeavor Joe undertook was to establish a partnership between Variety and DHL, Joe’s employer at the time, on Variety’s Gold Heart Pin Campaign. DHL, the world’s largest delivery and logistics company, worked with Variety to deliver Gold Heart pins to thousands of theaters around the country. “Variety is a charity that is close to our heart, and we are pleased to be able to leverage our shipping and logistics expertise to positively impact the lives of children in their own communities,” said Joe. Since leaving DHL, Joe has founded the Illig Group and continues to work hard to improve communities for kids. Joe sits on the Board of Directors for Variety as Treasurer and recently talked about what inspires him to volunteer. “I like listening to the stories of the children Variety has helped.” Joe credits past and current board members for encouraging him. He hopes to build on Variety’s successes and is constantly looking for new avenues of growth to create a sustainable financial future for the organization. Calling on his entrepreneurial spirit, Joe Illig is always looking for new corporate sponsors and profitable projects to promote Variety’s mission. If you are interested in learning more about opportunities to become involved, as a volunteer or corporate donor, please contact us at (323) 954-0820.
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 Other Newsletters online: Winter 2009
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9-year-old Mason is a happy, motivated child living with his parents and
two siblings in Ohio. In 2002, Mason was introduced to Freedom Concepts
bikes. This was the first time that Mason had ever been able to ride a bike
independently. 
At
Left: Both the young and the young at heart enjoy the magic
of Oscar Night!