Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa

Variety is thrilled to announce that Jeff Lorenzen will serve as the honorary chair of the 51st Variety Telethon Fundraising Campaign! Jeff has been a passionate supporter of Variety for many years, advocating for Iowa's children and actively participating in our fundraising efforts. As the CEO and President of American Equity, Jeff continues to make a big impact, and we’re so grateful to have him leading our Telethon efforts this year! Read more about Jeff and our 51st Variety Telethon Fundraising Campaign here: https://lnkd.in/gK7Pm68q

13-year-old Jameson from Inwood, IA received his new specialized bike at Fareway Stores, Inc. in Sioux Falls! Jameson's family has tried to help him ride a traditional bike with training wheels, but he has struggled with fear of falling and discomfort. This new specialized bike offers him a stable, safe alternative, providing an opportunity to build strength, improve balance, and enhance coordination. Thank you Fareway for supporting Variety and children like Jameson! ?? https://lnkd.in/gGc_CKDM

Four-year-old Maddox was so excited about his new specialized bike! His parents shared that he loved riding a similar bike during his physical therapy sessions and couldn't stop talking about it. Now that he has his own bike, he can join his younger brother and other kids in the neighborhood for rides while building strength and improving his muscle function in a fun and engaging way.

We are celebrating Variety’s 51st Telethon on March 1 on We are Iowa – Local 5! The Telethon is the foundation Variety was built upon and is the highlight of each year. Since the inception of the Telethon in 1975, Variety has raised more than $140+ million for Iowa’s children. For the first 46 years, the Variety Telethon lasted 16-24 hours and hosted a line-up of local and international celebrities who appeared on-air, along with thousands of corporate volunteers and donors who pledged their ongoing time and support to Iowa’s children. Since then, the Variety Telethon has evolved into a one-hour, televised multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign that still highlights the many ways Variety helps Iowa’s children. Variety VIPs (Very Interested Persons) and corporate supporters continue to raise funds that will support Variety's mission of improving the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs.

Thank you Sammons Financial Group Companies for spending your morning with us building bikes for children in need. Your support and generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of at-risk and underprivileged children in Iowa! ?? Photos by: Christopher Maharry

Variety and Hy-Vee, Inc. are proud to present a custom-designed adaptive bike to eight-year-old Montana from Sioux City, Iowa! This specialized bike is tailored specifically for Montana, enabling her to enjoy the freedom of cycling while helping to strengthen her muscles and improve her coordination. For years Montana has been asking to have a bike of her own like her sister and peers, but she is unable to ride a traditional bike. This handcycle will not only allow her to ride bikes with her sister and friends, but will help Montana gain core strength and stay active as she continues on her health journey. Thank you for your wonderful support of Variety and children in need, Hy-Vee, Inc.! ?? https://lnkd.in/gQE6kY52

Variety provided funding to support EveryStep's Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Amanda the Panda grief and loss programs to help children get a healthy start in life and receive grief support during life’s difficult transitions. https://lnkd.in/dRykT8f6

Four-year-old Johnathan is bravely working toward his dream of walking independently, despite the challenges of living with cerebral palsy. He currently uses a specialized bike during his physical therapy sessions to build strength in his legs and core. Now that he has a bike of his own thanks to Bret Wiltse, Jason Wiltse, and Adam McRoberts, Johnathan will have even more opportunities to practice and grow stronger at home. ??

As temperatures drop, 240 children will now have warm winter coats thanks to a Variety Grant! Each fall, Clive Community Services sees a high demand for children's winter coats among the families they serve. Many of these families are low-income, with many recently arriving refugees adjusting to colder weather. Thanks to funding from Variety, Clive Community Services was able to purchase and distribute these essential coats to these families!

Whatsoever You Do received their new Variety Van! This van will play a crucial role in their programs aimed at assisting children experiencing homelessness in southeast Iowa. A huge thank you to Fareway Stores, Inc. for their generous support in funding this van. ??