Category: News
The conversation of a lifetime
Dear Variety Friends,
I thought you would enjoy this update as much as I did.
Last Sunday, November 29, Leo Gerard (United Steelworkers International President Emeritus) and I had the chance to speak with Tyler, and it was truly the conversation of a lifetime for both of us, as we talked so easily with him.
In case you need a refresher on Tyler’s journey, here are two segments by KDKA-TV:
It’s easy to forget that Tyler could only say two words when he received his communication device in 2017, but Tyler was talking to us with his own voice and it was crystal clear!
Leo told him how he was the inspiration for helping all these other kids receive a communication device, and that he had changed our lives for the better.
Tyler was speaking to us with no hint that he ever had a communication disorder or had speech therapy (which he doesn’t have anymore). It was an incredible moment in the midst of a pandemic, especially when Tyler said, “I love you Leo and Charlie.”
During our conversation on Sunday, Tyler’s mom, Jen said, “We thought Tyler would always need to use the device,” but now he doesn’t need it all! Hearing your child speaking with their own voice… there really aren’t any words to express how wonderful that is to a parent.
We are truly privileged to help kids and their families in this way, and it is even more critical that we renew ourselves to this work at this time, especially with our kids facing so many more challenges to their progress and education.
Here’s one last smile.
For his 9th birthday in August, the gift Tyler wanted most was the tower of terror Lego set, and that’s what he got.
Check out his finished creation below and grin!
Take good care,
Charlie
Charles P. LaVallee
Chief Executive Officer
Variety – the Children’s Charity
Young Man Inspires Us w/ 100 Laughs
For one comedic young man living with disabilities, the pandemic has allowed him to find a niche in sharing his jokes and smile with us all – that is 24-year old Variety Ambassador and Joker Extraordinaire, Jacob Buchheit!
Today at 4:00pm, Jacob will celebrate his 100th joke on our Facebook page (or YouTube page if you don’t use FB), and I hope you’ll join us in recognizing his achievement and sharing in his laughter!
At any time, but let alone these times, we shouldn’t minimize the moments of joy and laughter that we receive, especially as a community – and Jacob’s humor and own laughter at the end of every joke are sure to make you smile.
As we celebrate Joke 100, Jacob’s mom, Eileen and brother, Evan shared their perspectives on what Jokes with Jacob has meant to Jake and the greater community – click here to watch.
To emphasize what Evan describes, each of Jacob’s jokes on Facebook receive comments from people, but here are a few that really stand out:
- “Your smile brings me hope every day…”
- “When I am down in the dumps. I see a new joke. I then start smiling. Thanks Jacob I really needed that today.”
- “Thanks for putting a smile on my face…your jokes are the best….”
- “Thank you….I’m smiling!”
- “Thank you again for the smiles….I need them.”
- “I’ve been having a rough week and you just put a smile on my face…thanks buddy.”
I hope you’ll tune in at 4:00PM this afternoon to catch Jacob’s 100th joke on our FB page – and let’s keep on smiling!
A Thankful Heart
To keep it short and sweet, we are thankful.
Thankful to keep presenting life-changing equipment during a pandemic, and we couldn’t have done it without you!
By simply reading these emails, you’re helping to understand and celebrate our extraordinary kids, and for those that can do more, it truly makes a tremendous impact on our work.
Though this year’s Thanksgiving won’t be the same for any of us, please let us remind you how much you matter to all of us at Variety!
Amazon & Variety
Variety is a participating charity for the Amazon Smile Foundation, and it’s an easy way to support us!
In order for Variety to get a donation from Amazon, the customer must use the Amazon Smile website and designate Variety.
- You can sign-up to have your purchases credited to Variety by using the following link: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage/ref=smi_chpf_redirect?ie=UTF8&ein=25-1098099&ref_=smi_ext_ch_25-1098099_cl.
- After you sign-up you simply use the Amazon Smile website for all shopping: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F when you shop.
- Just to clarify, Amazon Smile is the same site as the regular Amazon site, but it allows the shopper to pick one charity to receive a donation by Amazon.
Just something to keep in mind and share with your friends or family!
ON THIS DAY we celebrate kindness
TODAY ON NOV. 13, 2020…
We were scheduled to have Variety’s Gala that celebrates and raises critical funds, but then the pandemic hit. Instead, we join so many others in celebrating World Kindness Day and WQED’s Cardigan Day WITH A SMILE FROM TRISTAN, who is filled with pure joy on his new adaptive bike!
Variety’s programs are not only spreading smiles, but life-changing impact. We’re helping children to be included and not left behind. We’re helping to give kids a voice to be themselves. We’re helping kids to freely go out into the community and participate. Variety is a helper, and we are asking for your help now.
Will you support our Partners in the Pandemic Campaign for kids with disabilities? This campaign will raise critical funds that Variety needs to keep changing the lives of children and their families, and truly, any amount will make a difference. You can read more about the campaign by clicking here, and/or you can give a donation right now by clicking here.
ONE YEAR AGO ON NOV. 13, 2019…
We were in Clearfield County, PA presenting adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers, and communication devices to kids like Vladimir (pictured below). Could his smile of pure joy get any better?
As Fred Rogers once said, “Anyone who does anything to help a child in this life is a hero to me.”
Please be our hero, support this campaign, and help us, help even more amazing kids!
Thank you so very much, Neighbor!
786 | Partners in the Pandemic
Dear Variety Friends,
I write with an extraordinary update on our impact, and a hopeful ask for your support of Variety’s Partners in the Pandemic Campaign for Kids with Disabilities.
FIRST, OUR IMPACT UPDATE:
- Between October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, we presented 786 pieces of adaptive equipment to kids with disabilities (worth $1.1 million) throughout 71 counties in PA and WV!
- Out of the 786, we presented 438 pieces of mobility equipment (adaptive bikes and strollers) and 348 communication devices!
- Out of the 786 presented, 504 pieces of equipment were presented during the pandemic.
This is officially our GREATEST year ever, and it’s our second year in a row presenting more than $1 million in equipment to kids!
NOW, A RARE ASK FOR SUPPORT:
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Variety must postpone its 2020 Gala, which provides us with critical funds where we need them the most (raising upwards of $250,000).
As a result, we are launching our Partners in the Pandemic Campaign for Kids with Disabilities to ensure that our work and impact does not falter or slow down, and to raise funds where we need them most.
With our goal of raising $250,000 by December 31st, any donation will make a difference, so I sincerely ask, will you be our Partner in the Pandemic?
- You can make a donation online now by clicking here (and designate your donation to Partners in the Pandemic), or you can mail your gift by check (see attachment).
- Every donor will be recognized on our website here.
- In addition, we will recognize larger donations in a variety of ways (see attachment). Could you approach your employer to make a donation or get us connected?
I’m hopeful that you’ll please consider becoming our Partner in the Pandemic, and give to where we need it most at Variety to keep our programs rolling.
Your donation will help us, help even more kids, and it will ensure that Variety’s work and mission never fades or ceases to exist. If you want to talk further, I would be delighted to setup a time to talk by phone or Zoom to provide even more updates on our life-changing work for kids with disabilities.
My sincerest thanks to you.
Charlie
P.S. Check out this piece by JET24, who joined us this past Tuesday to present adaptive bikes and adaptive strollers in Edinboro – lots of smiles! https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/northwest-tri-county-intermediate-unit-and-the-childrens-charity-variety-team-up-to-provide-life-changing-equipment-to-kids-with-disabilities/
Charles P. LaVallee
Chief Executive Officer
Variety – the Children’s Charity
Impacting EVEN MORE Kids!
We’re thrilled to share more smiles with you, as we continue to MAKE IT WORK FOR THE KIDS!
In the last week, we partnered with Intermediate Unit 1, the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, and Blackburn’s to present 15 adaptive bikes and 10 adaptive strollers to kids in Washington, Fayette, Greene, Blair, Bedford, Cambria, and Somerset Counties, and more from the Wheeling, WV region! Providing the kids with adaptive bikes and strollers is especially meaningful in the midst of a pandemic.
Hunter, age 4 from Fayette County received an adaptive stroller:
The pure JOY on Hunter’s face is truly captivating, and his mom, Abby powerfully explains why an adaptive stroller is truly life-changing for her son. “Walking Long distances for Hunter is very tiring and sometimes painful. An adaptive stroller will provide Hunter with some independence while still being able to rest when he needs it.” Abby’s words are a reminder that an adaptive stroller is critical for a variety of kids with a variety of needs.
Silas, age 7 from Washington County received an adaptive bike:
If you look closely, you can see Silas smiling underneath his mask, as well as his awesome shark helmet! His mom, Jolene told us why this bike is important and needed for her son,
“At the present time, Silas is unable to ride bikes and interact with his peers and sibling. Silas cannot ride a traditional bike due to his fragility, rods in his legs, and the added physical stress and fracture risk it involves.
As Silas is unable to participate in most sports / physical activities, this will be the main way for him to get physical exercise.”
Anaea, age 17 from Bedford County got fit for her new adaptive bike:
It was a very special day for Anaea, who got fit for her new adaptive bike (the last step before we can order it), and her mom, Julie told The Altoona Mirror how much this bike would mean, “We are a very active family and like to go on walks and Anaea comes along,” Julie said. “We also like to run and ride bikes and someone would have to stay behind with Anaea, but now we can all go out together.”
Read more in the full article by The Altoona Mirror: https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/06/pittsburgh-charity-helps-to-provide-special-bikes/
Noah, age 6 from Bedford County received an adaptive bike:
“Noah loves spending time with his older brother Kaden. Unfortunately, Kaden loves to ride his bike all over the back-parking lot. Noah tries very hard to join in, but he can’t stay on the bike seat on his regular bike. He has a hard time balancing and can’t push the peddles to make it move.
At school, he uses an adaptive bike and does very well with it. His therapist has shared with us that he is so proud of himself when he can do it on his own. He is a 6 year old little boy who doesn’t get to ride bikes with his older brother or go on bike rides with us.
I want to see that smile on his face.”
WTAJ-TV also joined us for yesterday’s distribution, and you don’t want to miss seeing Dominic trialing an adaptive bike, or his aunt and cousins say how much it will mean to them all. Click here to watch and enjoy: https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/kids-with-special-needs-receive-free-adaptive-bikes-strollers/
Stay tuned for more smiles because over the next few weeks, we have distribution events scheduled with Schuylkill IU29, Midwestern IU4, Westmoreland IU7, and Blackburn’s!
IT’S ALL FOR THE KIDS!
CELEBRATING 10 & Why It’s Important
TODAY AT 4:00 PM, we celebrate Joke #10 in our JOKES WITH JACOB smile series, and we feel it’s something worth celebrating, together! You can keep up with all of Jacob’s jokes on Facebook or YouTube.
For Jacob, and so many other kids with disabilities, this time of “stay at home” has been especially hard, since it’s completely changed his daily activities. It’s changed his life completely.
We cannot forget about our kids and their challenges, especially now. Our kids just want the chance to be part of something.
JOKES WITH JACOB has been an enormous boost for Jacob, as it gives him purpose and helps him to give back to others through laughter. It’s also inspiring others to think of how they can give back. Excitingly, Jacob’s first 9 jokes have reached more than 34,000 people!
We hope that you’ll continue to follow JOKES WITH JACOB, and help make sure that our kids are not forgotten (BUT CELEBRATED) because they have A LOT of joy and beauty to give to us all.
Health Care Reinvented – My Voice Program
Variety was fortunate to be a guest on the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s podcast, Tech Vibe Radio, hosted by PTC’s Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting, who help make technology relatable to us all.
The two masterfully highlight what our My Voice® Program is all about and the impact that it is having for kids and families, so please don’t miss listening to Health Care Reinvented: My Voice Program – start listening and get inspired!
Not sure what to expect from the episode? Here’s how PTC describes it:
We couldn’t be more excited to release the next episode of Health Care Reinvented with Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
This episode overviews the My Voice® Program with Charlie LaVallee of Variety detailing how cutting-edge technology is giving children who cannot speak a voice! It’s hard to imagine a child that is hungry and can’t ask food or a child that is hurting and cannot ask for help.
Listen to how the My Voice Program is putting powerful communications tools into children’s hands and giving them the ability to speak. Charlie has several heart-felt examples of the program making a life-altering difference for the children and their families.
A massive thanks to the Pittsburgh Technology Council (especially Audrey and Jonathan) for supporting and believing in our work, as well as Highmark and the Allegheny Health Network, who helped to make this opportunity possible.
Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head
Dear Variety Friends:
Now, more than ever, we’re all trying to create smiles for those around us. Small moments of levity in the midst of a stressful and anxious period. I’m sure many of you have watched our Jokes with Jacob smile series on social media (if you haven’t, go give yourself a laugh here).
His jokes and humor have truly brought a smile to my face, and his efforts inspired me to do more in my own neighborhood.
My wife, Terese and I put on Halloween costumes over the weekend, and we took a stroll around our neighborhood in the hopes of making others smile. We got a lot of people staring and double-taking what they were seeing, but it was the reactions from the kids that made it most meaningful.
- Two 4-year old girls came running towards us from their cul-de-sac, screaming with joy, “Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head!!” Then, very seriously, the two girls told us, “We are superheroes. We’re protecting the neighborhood.”
- Another young boy, age 5 was stunned by what he was seeing, and his mom asked him with a smile, “Did you know Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head lived in our neighborhood?”
I also sent this photo of Terese and me to Jacob, so that he knew that his jokes were inspiring us to share the smiles. Here’s a photo of him reacting to our costumes, saying, “You are CUCKOO!”
Let’s all keep smiling, together.
Take good care,
Charlie
Charles P. LaVallee
Chief “Excitement” Officer
Variety – the Children’s Charity