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Immediate Release
Contact:
Mary Taylor Beck
Director of Public Relations
Office: (314) 453-0453 X 22
Cell: (314) 520-8011
Fax: (314) 453-0488
mary@varietystl.org
www.varietystl.org
ST. LOUIS VARIETY CHANGES ITS NAME
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – January 12, 2006 – St. Louis Variety, formerly Variety Club, has changed its name to Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis. The St. Louis chapter is one of 52 chapters around the world, including 14 countries such as Canada, England, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand South and West Australia and South Africa. “This name change is part of an overall branding campaign to unite all Variety chapters in 52 markets around the world, said Jan Albus, executive director of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis. Of course, our St. Louis chapter will always be remembered as the beloved Variety Club, which so many loyal donors have supported in our 74-year history. This name change reinforces our mission with every dollar raised in St. Louis staying in St. Louis. We will continue to serve local children in the Greater St. Louis region with physical and mental disabilities from infancy through the age of 21. And, we will continue to provide financial support to our 93 partner agencies in the Greater St. Louis region.”
Most people don’t know that Variety the Children’s Charity was established 78 years ago by a group of entertainers. On Christmas Eve in 1928, John H. Harris, manager of the Sheridan Theatre in Pittsburgh, was shocked to discover a one-month-old baby girl abandoned in one of the theatre seats with a note pinned to her dress. The note stated:
Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business and I pray to God you will look out for her.
(signed) A Heartbroken Mother.
A year before the baby was found, Harris and 10 entertainers created a social club called “Variety Club.” After Catherine was found, these men decided to dedicate the club to caring for the baby, which included underwriting her support and education. They named the child Catherine “Variety” Sheridan.
While caring for Catherine, they became aware of many other children in need of help, so they continued to raise funds even after a family adopted Catherine. Her story soon inspired the interest of entertainers all over the world to join together to improve the lives of children around the world. Collectively, Variety has raised more than
$1 billion internationally.
Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis is one of the leading chapters around the world. The St. Louis chapter, provides durable medical equipment, transportation, developmental programs and a resource center. Of the 93 partner agencies that Variety supports, annual funding is allocated to the Variety Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and the Londoff Therapy Suite at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Variety’s largest annual fundraiser is the April telethon. Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis serves a total of 200,000 local children in the Greater St. Louis region. Variety's President, Tony Ponturo, is vice president of global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch Inc.
Variety children are often diagnosed with Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, loss of limb, mental illness or learning disorders. Each year, the need for community support increases because the needs of Variety children increase. When children grow, Variety provides durable medical equipment each time they need it until the age of 21. Equipment may include manual or power wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, augmentative speech devices, prosthesis, van lifts, hospital beds, leg braces, and therapeutic bikes.
In addition to special equipment, Variety supports the developmental needs of the children with programs such as the Variety Children's Chorus, Adventure Camp and annual educational enrichment outings to some of St. Louis' world-renowned venues.
The Variety Children’s Chorus teaches children to read music, learn choreography, and perform a wide range of repertoire for public performances. During the school year, they rehearse on Sundays in anticipation of the annual telethon and Allocations Luncheon and at other community events. In 2003, they were invited to sing a holiday concert at the White House in Washington, D.C. The Chorus is directed by Nance St. James, local vocal coach, veteran Broadway performer, and professional radio, film and television artist. The Variety Children’s Chorus is an extraordinary program, which raises each child’s self-esteem while teaching them the benefits of discipline and hard work. Some Chorus members have even experienced accelerated reading test scores due to their participation in the Chorus.
Adventure Camp is a free three-week summer camp designed for children ages 4 to 12 with a wide range of disabilities. During this annual Adventure Camp program, children develop motor, cognitive and social skills. Through empowering fitness, sports, sensory art and sensory music sessions, children embrace Variety’s “I Can!” philosophy, which is encouraged throughout all camp sessions. Fitness and sports activities include swimming, dance, recreational rock climbing, power soccer, basketball, kayaking, therapeutic bike obstacle courses and field trips.
Variety’s Adventure Camp experience has even created first-time job opportunities for older children. Adventure Camp counselors with disabilities range from age 16 to 21. In addition, Variety offers volunteer opportunities for junior camp counselors with disabilities. These volunteers range from age 13 to 15. This year’s camp sessions are June 12-16; June 26-30; July 10-13. Registration is available by downloading an application on www.varietystl.orgor by calling Leann at (314) 453-0453 X 21.
St. Louis Through the Eyes of a Disabled Child is an educational enrichment program designed to help Variety and partner agency children experience a customized program at world-renowned venues such as the Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Art Museum and the Saint Louis Zoo. Hands-on activities, lectures and docent tours are scheduled at each venue in an effort to widen the scope of the learning experience at each venue to include children with disabilities.
Recently, Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis received the Charity Navigator’s highest 4-star rating. Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization provides objective analysis and ratings to donors by evaluating the financial health of more than 5,000 charities in the U.S. Charity Navigator helps potential donors make wise giving decisions. This rating reflects the findings to assure donors that their dollars are being spent appropriately and efficiently. “Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis has earned a 4-star rating for its ability to efficiently allocate and grow its finances,” said Trent Stamp, executive director of Charity Navigator. “Less than a quarter of the charities we’ve rated have received our highest rating, indicating that Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible. This ‘exceptional’ rating from Charity Navigator differentiates Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis from its peers and proves that it’s worthy of the public’s trust.”
Variety’s website, www.varietystl.org, contains a Charity Navigator and GuideStar hotlink for website visitors who may want to know more information about Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis. Those interested in finding out more about Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis are invited to call (314) 453-0453.
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