Tag: Fundraising
Their Amazing Abilities SHINED!
At Variety’s 2018 Gala on November 2nd, our kids truly SHINED as they rode, strolled, or walked in our “Kids Parade” that kicked off an evening of hope. For the 12 kids that joined us, it was truly a “peak moment” where they got to be spotlighted for their amazing abilities rather than their disabilities.
- We asked everyone in the room to commit to sharing this special video on social media or via e-mail to help get the word out far and wide – more than 450 attendees raised their hands as a promise to us and our kids.
- You can watch the video by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr7TYhLT3QI
- Will you also commit to sharing this video with your colleagues, family, and/or friends in hopes of finding more kids that could benefit from Variety’s programs?
- Our goal is to find 100% of kids that could benefit from our programs, and you taking one minute to share could help one more child receive their own adaptive bike, adaptive stroller, or communication device.
Variety was also grateful to honor two amazing individuals during our 2018 Gala, Tim Wiebe and Mickey Sgro, who have dedicated their time and resources to help change kids’ lives. You can see more photos from the event by clicking here.
Thank you for your time and your belief in the importance of Variety’s work and mission to enable children with disabilities to live life to the fullest. We could not do it without you, our mighty Variety team!
Most Incredible Variety Video EVER!
This might be our most incredible video ever highlighting the impact of Variety’s “My Bike” and “My Voice” Programs.
Once again, Variety was given the opportunity to speak to hundreds of labor leaders from around Pennsylvania this week. These labor leaders were deeply moved by the video (video above) and committed to doing even more for Variety. Plus, we were presented with a $3,000 check to sponsor another bike and device!
The experience was especially meaningful for USW District 10 Director, Bobby “Mac” McAuliffe, who rode an adaptive bike into the conference to great celebration by everyone in attendance (photo above). It was great for the attendees to see the USW Director for Pa. ride an adaptive bike and to realize how important the bike would be if it was their child or grandchild.
We are overwhelmed with gratitude by the support, commitment, and time that has been given to Variety and our kids, but we know how much more is still needed. Let’s keep things rolling forward, together!
“United Together for Kids”
On Friday, November 3rd, Variety celebrated its 90th Annual Gala at Heinz Field, and it was a night to remember!
Highlighting Variety kids & partnerships, the evening showcased an adaptive bike parade featuring children with disabilities, former Governors Tom Corbett and Ed Rendell, PA Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak, United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard, and Jones Day Partner Roy Powell.
Our organization was honored to present Leo Gerard with our 2017 Catherine Variety Sheridan Humanitarian Award and Roy Powell with the 2017 Variety Advocacy Award. A very special thanks to our 2017 Presenting Sponsors: Highmark, Jones Day, Peoples, & PNC.
To make the evening even more special, honoree Leo Gerard announced that he and USW International raised approximately $500,000 to provide more adaptive equipment to eligible children with disabilities through Variety’s programs!
WPXI-TV put together a terrific story highlighting USW International’s commitment and support that you can view by clicking here.
Memorial Bike Ride on Sept. 30th!
Come join us for the Fourth Annual J. Terrence Farrell Memorial Bike Ride, which will beneift Variety’s “My Bike” Program.
When: Saturday, September 30, 2017
What Time: 8:30am – 12 Noon
Where: The ride starts under the Boston Bridge, with a 7.5 mile stop at the Dravo Cemetery in Buena Vista. Experienced riders may continue on Smithton Beach. All bikers will return at 12 Noon to the Kenneth Frew Pavilion for Lunch and a ceremony in honor of J. Terrence (Terry) Farrell.
Registration Fee: $25
You can register for the bike ride by clicking here.
As a long-time member of the McKeesport Lions and local attorney, each year Mr. Farrell’s “Bike for Sight” raised thousands of dollars for local charities. The funds from last year’s event were distributed locally to the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center, the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, the Mon Yough Trail, the Mon River Fleet Lions Club, Friends of the Riverfront, Variety the Children’s Charity, and American Heart Association.
For questions regarding this year’s event, please contact Belinda O’Keson at (412) 678-7126 or via e-mail at okeson2210@comcast.net.
For updates on this annual event, please check out their Facebook Page.
Kids Helping Kids
In a matter of four days, the youngsters from the 2017 G-Force VBS at Kingsville United Methodist Church raised money to help Variety kids in the Clarion County area – a total of $375 was generated by 26 kids that participated in this summer’s program, which was then matched by the church!
It is inspiring and amazing to see such young children want to give back to others that are in need. Because of these 26 kids, Variety received a donation of nearly $800, and it will be a big help to our work, especially for the kids of Clarion County.
We congratulate these extraordinary children for their hard work and commitment to giving back!
Regional Bartender Championship Gives Back!
On Wednesday, August 16th, TGI Fridays brought in their top eight bartender finalists to flip, shake and pour in front of four judges as they battled with their mixology skills for the regional title – all to raise funds for kids with disabilities! This year’s event was held at the TGI Fridays in the Waterfront.
Competitors included bartenders from all across the Greater Pittsburgh area, and were slated to create four Fridays cocktails to be tested and then auctioned off to the crowd! All proceeds from the raffles and auctions benefited Variety — The Children’s Charity of Greater Pittsburgh
In total, nearly $1,500 was raised for Variety kids, and we couldn’t be more grateful for it!
OLSH’s “Bikes for Bikes” A Success!
More than a year ago, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School student, Chris decided that he wanted to give back to his community in a bigger way by organizing a bike fundraiser. He soon decided that funds from the event should benefit Variety’s “My Bike” Program, dubbing the event, “Bikes for Bikes” — it was a perfect partnership.
Chris spent the next year planning the event, which included solicited larger donations from those within the community. The event took place on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in North Park, and it was a sincere success. In the end, Chris made it possible for 3 more kids to receive an adaptive bike by raising $5,400!
Chris took his desire to give back and turned it into action that will change the lives of three children with disabilities, who will now have the chance to ride a bike with friends and family, and feel just like any other child.
Variety is so proud of what Chris accomplished and grateful for his support, and we are looking forward to continuing OLSH’s “Bikes for Bikes” event long into the future – again, something that began with an idea that Chris had to give back.
“I Got Pied for a New Ride!”
“I got pied for a new ride!”
This was the slogan used for a recent fundraising campaign coordinated between the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Housing, Food Services, and Panther Central, and IUOE Local 95 members.
The campaign’s great success to raise funds for a handful of adaptive bikes was celebrated on Tuesday, June 6th when several of the University’s executives got pied, as was promised by Assistant Vice Chancellor of Business, Jim Earle one year ago.
In total, Variety presented 8 adaptive bikes during the June 6th presentation that was held at the University of Pittsburgh. It included a full house of staff attendees and others from the community to watch the pieing event and cheer on the kids, who took their inaugural ride on their new bikes!
One of the bike recipients was Garrett, who also received an adaptive stroller through Variety in December 2016. His mother, Laurel gave voice to the incredible impact that the stroller has had on their family since receiving it.
She said, “This stroller has meant so much to our family. Garret is getting heavier and is very hard to transport. Right now, I’m a single mom and it has basically allowed us to leave the house.
This has helped us so much with just being able to go get ice cream, go for walks because I don’t know if you know that wheelchairs are very, very heavy.
He loves it too because he can move himself, which he can’t really do too much on his own. We dance with the stroller and do so much with it, and it’s just the best gift that we’ve had. Ever since we got it, we’ve gone to do a lot more things, we’ve got to explore, and it’s even helping him with range of motion with his arms, and all kinds of things that we couldn’t do before.
It has changed our lives.”
Garrett’s grandmother, also named Laurel, highlighted what the stroller has meant for her, “I can’t push the wheelchair. We even have a ramp for the house, but I can’t get the wheelchair in and out. The stroller I can easily get in and out, so when I’m watching Garrett, we can go for walks, we can go out in the yard… it’s just a lot of freedom.
Variety could not be more grateful to everyone who made this memorable event possible, and gave freedom to 8 more kids at the start of the summer season!