What moves us to care

No one asks to have a disability.  And no one should be treated as if they do.  This is what moves us.

Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh is the only organization in southwestern Pennsylvania that provides mobility and enabling equipment for children with disabilities, ages 21 and under.

For more than 80 years, our mission has been to set pity aside, in order to empower.  To never ignore, so we can include.  To not dwell on limitation, so we may uncover potential.

Whether it’s through events and programs that involve kids or social activities for families coping with disabilities, Variety has a history of reaching out.  Serving all children without discrimination.  Helping them become all that they’re capable of – and more.

Why we do what we do

Do you know that approximately 10 percent of the world’s population – 600 million people – has some form of disability?  Are you aware that more than 6.2 million children in the United States live with a disability – which is roughly 13 percent of the total child population?

The numbers may seem overwhelming.  But they are also what get us going each day.

Variety the Children’s Charity is a special organization.  No other organization does what we do.  From our humble beginnings, we’ve grown into an international organization that serves children in 14 countries around the globe. 

Since 1927, we remain a leading advocate for children with mental and physical disabilities and other health challenges.  We are dedicated to insuring a better quality of life for kids with special needs.

Embracing the challenge

Variety the Children’s Charity has cultivated significant partnerships with various family service agencies and non-profit organizations for referral of families who lack financial resources to purchase vital equipment for their children challenged by mental and physical disabilities.  These agencies and families rely upon Variety to fulfill this unmet need in the community, and they use our Kids on the Go! Program awards to help improve the quality of life for their children with the aid of mechanical support.

The task of finding the right equipment that not only is age appropriate but will accommodate the needs of a child with a disability – physical impairment, hearing loss, blind and low vision, or developmental delays – falls in the hands of parents who want nothing more than to help their child.

This is the “niche” Variety fills in the community.  We’re committed to finding the right equipment to match the varying abilities of each child with special needs.

Getting dreams off the ground

Children’s dreams come in all shapes and sizes.  Their possibilities are limitless.  Yet sometimes, it takes a little help to let those dreams soar.

To that end, Variety promotes projects, community outreach programs and therapeutic activities that make a real impact on the everyday lives of children with disabilities.  Emphasis is placed on children’s abilities, not their disabilities.

The need continues and is growing.  For children who do not qualify for Medicaid, are uninsured or underinsured, Variety is the only answer.

How do we meet the ever-growing need?  Variety is committed to expanding its programs inside and outside of southwestern Pennsylvania in order to accomplish our mission:

• Help kids get the adaptive equipment and programs they need
• Promote awareness of the need for physical activity, sport, and recreation for kids with disabilities
• Promote ability, individuality, and active living
• Promote participation in social, recreational, and educational activities designed to foster independence and participation in adaptive, age appropriate and peer group activities for kids of all abilities.