Join our Camp Staff Team!
Variety’s Adventure Camp program is now hiring for Summer Camp 2022. Several paid and volunteer positions are available!
Variety Updates
Welcome to Variety, Julie!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Julie Thompkins, our new Health Services Manager! Julie will primarily oversee our Durable Medical Equipment program as well as the Emerson Resource Center, working directly with families to ensure they receive the assistance they need. Julie’s background has more than prepared her for this role. She …
Welcome to the New VarietySTL.org!
Variety St. Louis has launched a new website to better serve the St. Louis community. The site makes it possible for audiences to access critical information more easily, with a focus on improving the application process for families looking for assistance as well as creating a better online donation experience.
Kaci to Share her Endless PossAbilities
Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis has launched a new virtual speaker series titled “Endless PossAbilities.” Every session is free to attend, takes place on Zoom, and features an individual with a disability sharing how they achieved their unique possibilities, covering a wide range of topics. Variety Kids and Teens – and their families …
A Look Back at 2021
As we celebrate the new year, we are looking back at all that happened here at Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis in 2021. Although it was another year filled with constant pivoting, we were able to continue to evolve as an organization, providing Variety Kids and their families with uninterrupted access to our …
A Holly Jolly Good Time with Variety Social Groups
This month, Variety Kids and Teens gathered virtually for a festive social group, led by Variety Family Council member Kim and her daughter, Gracie. A great time was had by all! The day before the event, Kim and Gracie, dressed as elves named “Holly” and “Jolly”, delivered holiday cheer in the form of goody bags …
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Jan Albus Departing as Variety CEO
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 …
Bikes for Kids 2021
On Saturday, November 20, Variety St. Louis made a triumphant return to in-person events with Bikes for Kids 2021. The annual bike giveaway was held across multiple days in 2020, and we were thrilled to get back to what is always one of our favorite days of the year. During the event, more than one …
Thanks Sno Much!
We’d like to say thanks “sno” much to all those who came out to Ballwin Sno-Cone on August 25 in support of Variety Kids! From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on that date, a portion of the stand’s proceeds benefited Variety St. Louis and the kids and teens with disabilities we serve. Variety Families and …
Variety Families and Friends Enjoy the Bommarito Automotive Group 500
On Saturday, August 21, 2021, Variety Families and friends had the chance to experience the thrill of IndyCar racing at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at the World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, thanks to the generosity of World Wide Technology and the Steward Family Foundation. The organizations donated more than 500 tickets to Variety …
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Chase Goes for Gold
When the Olympics and Paralympics air, you can find children around the world glued to their screens, dreaming of the day they might take the podium for their country. Variety Kid Chase is living out those dreams. Last month, Chase competed in swimming at the Move United Junior Nationals, which serves as a pipeline towards …
Summer Camp 2021: The Great Virtual Adventure
For six weeks this summer, Variety Kids and Teens gathered online for an exciting and engaging Virtual Adventure and Teen Camp 2021. Through this virtual adventure, campers made crafts, played games, cooked snacks, sang songs, went on virtual field trips, and so much more, all while building friendships that are sure to last even after …
Variety remembers Henry Givens
Henry Givens was an extraordinary advocate for children with special needs. For more than 20 years, he and Belma have supported Variety and attended Variety events, especially Runway Lights Fashion Show and Dinner with the Stars. His work enriched St Louis and we will miss him.
Welcome to Variety, Kathy!
Please help us give Kathy Payne a warm welcome to our Variety St. Louis family! Kathy is joining us as Controller in the Finance Department and will be responsible for payroll as well as supporting finance and accounting operations. Kathy has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Her …
Will Builds Strength and More on Horseback
Did you know that the cadence of a horse’s movement mimics a human walking? That’s what makes hippotherapy so effective – it gives those with mobility challenges, like Variety Teen Will, a way to build strength and coordination by riding a horse. Hippotherapy combines physical, occupational and speech therapy and uses equine movement to develop …
How to Help Variety Kids in 2021
With the global COVID-19 pandemic continuing into 2021, there are many who are still facing the challenges that come with it. If you’re looking for a way to help those affected by the coronavirus this year, there are many ways you can do so at Variety St. Louis! Variety Kids, many of whom are immunocompromised, …
MacKenzie’s Power Wheelchair Brings Independence and Fun
Like many people, Variety Teen MacKenzie hasn’t been outside much since March. MacKenzie’s manual wheelchair did not give her the freedom to move easily, making it difficult for her to even enjoy the outdoors around her own home. Recently, however, MacKenzie received a power wheelchair with help from Variety and our supporters. This power wheelchair …
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Ameren Corporation and Judy Jones receive top honors from Variety International
St. Louis (July 26, 2018) – Variety International presented top honors to local philanthropist Judy Jones and Ameren Corporation during its 2018 world conference earlier this summer. Variety St. Louis also won the Mort Sunshine Award for Electronic Excellence. Jones, awarded the 2018 Presidential Citation Award, has been a friend to Variety St. Louis for many years and was honored as …
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Warner Baxter steps up to lead Variety as New Board Chair
St. Louis (Jan 17, 2018) – Warner Baxter, Chairman, President & CEO, Ameren Corporation, and an active community leader and partner, has accepted the role of board chair of Variety the Children’s Charity. Variety is St. Louis’ best resource for kids with physical and developmental disabilities, also referred to as special needs, and their families. The organization focuses …
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Variety hires Chief Program Officer
St. Louis (Dec. 15, 2017) –Variety the Children’s Charity has chosen Susan Schuh, PhD MHA, as Chief Program Officer. Schuh has a PhD in Cellular and Developmental Biology from Stony Brook University, and a Masters, Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine. She has prior experience at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Ascension Health. This …