Jan Albus Departing as Variety CEO
Variety CEO Jan Albus poses in a black blazer. She is smiling at the camera.

Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis has announced that Jan Albus, the organization’s CEO for the past 25 years, is leaving the organization. Her last day will be December 31, 2021.

“Variety would not be the incredible source of hope and joy for children with special needs and their families without Jan Albus. She makes sure we at Variety are inclusive and diverse, reaching out to children and families from all social and economic situations,” said Larry Otto, Chairman of Variety’s board of directors.

“Jan is making this change at a time when the organization is as...

Continue Reading »
12/02/2021
Hope for Fiona
Variety Kid Fiona smiles at her mom, who is holding her and smiling down at her. They are sitting on the ground in a park with red heart balloons behind them.

Meet Fiona. She is eight years old and loves to laugh, rider her bike, and listen to Taylor Swift. 

Looking at her now, can you believe that she was given just a one percent chance to live to be six months old? 

Before Fiona was even born, doctors told her parents that, if she did survive, she would not have a good quality of life. She would likely be confined to a hospital bed, never speaking or even expressing her emotions. 

That's because Fiona has an extremely rare combination of diagnoses, including Down syndrome and Semilobar Holoprosencephaly, or HoPE for short...

Continue Reading »
11/30/2021
Tickets On Sale Now for Festive Gifts of Song and Dance!
The Variety Children's Chorus performs in their holiday concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall in 2018.

On Thursday, December 16, 2021, the Sheldon Concert Hall will be filled with the joyous sounds of the season. On that date, Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis will present Festive Gifts of Song and Dance, featuring children and teens of all abilities. Click here to purchase advance tickets!

This family-friendly holiday concert will showcase the inclusive Variety Children's Chorus, directed by Debby Lennon, and Variety Dance, directed by Dawn Gilbertson, in several festive numbers. The program will also include seasonal favorites performed by guest artists Debby Lennon, Ben...

Continue Reading »
11/24/2021
Subscribe to Front page feed