Variety of Illinois
Variety - the Childern's Charity is an enthusiastic group of business leaders who donate their time, resources and energy to positiely impact the lives of childern in their own communities, and around the world.
VARIETY OF ILLINOIS NEWS ARTICLES
Hole in One for Variety’s Annual Golf Outing
The early morning rain did not deter dozens of Variety supporters and golf enthusiasts when Variety held its, 59th Annual Golf Outing and Awards Dinner on August 4th at the beautiful Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale.
Over 100 checked out the fabulous silent auction items including two state of the art TVs and DVD player donated by Best Buy during the cocktail reception, generously sponsored by Marcus Theatres.
Before enjoying the delicious dinner,
attendees heard from Mike and Kelly Sherkey, whose son 5-year old son, John, received an adapted bike through Variety. Seeing exactly where their donations go created all kinds of excitement! Raffle sales soared and participants scrambled before the end of the night competing for silent auction items and the chance to help even more kids like John. 
A special Presidential Citation went to
Angelique Brunsman, a wonderful friend of Variety of Illinois for many years. Angelique’s brainchild is an Academy Award Viewing Party held on Oscar night at the Hollywood Palms, 100 percent of the proceeds – thousands of dollars – going to Variety.
If you were not able to attend this year’s event, but would like to make a donation, please visit www.varietyofillinois.org/donate.html.
Special thanks go to longtime Golf Outing Chairman Lou Michael, for another successful event!
Variety appreciates and thanks the following Hole Sponsors:
AMC THEATRES,KERNEL SEASONS, BEST BUY, KERASOTES THEATRES, BUFFALO GROVE THEATER, MOVIE FACTS, INC., CARMIKE CINEMAS , PARAMOUNT PICTURES,
CINEMARK THEATRES, SONY PICTURES, CLASSIC CINEMAS, THEATRE SERVICE NETWORk, F&F MANAGEMENT.
Variety also thanks our steadfast supporters:
20TH CENTURY FOX, KIDS BY PICASSO, ALLIED MARKETING, LIONSGATE PICTURES, ALLSTATE INSURANCE, NORTH BANK, CHRIS MANDOLINI, AUDITORIUM THEATRE, OVERTURE PICTURES, BEST BUY, PARAMOUNT PICTURES,
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS, SHERMAN CONSULTING, CHICAGO WHITE SOX, SONY PICTURES, COCA COLA, UNIVERSAL PICTURES,
GRAND AVENUE WINERY WALT DISNEY PICTURES, GREAT LAKES THEATER SERVICE, WARNER BROTHERS, KERNAL SEASONS.
Variety puts kids on the go
When Blake Harmet was born, his mom worried he wouldn't be able to play like all the other little boys.
"We decided early on that Blake would participate and do as much as he could, like any other kid," his mom, Lisa, says. Blake apparently decided the same thing. He has been playing basketball since he was 6, plus tennis and softball. This year, the Warriors, an adaptive basketball team he plays on, took the state championship, thanks in no small part to Variety Children's Charity's donation of two sports wheelchairs to the team.
Click here to Read more at Chicago Parent.
Variety Around the World Congregates and Celebrates
Brits and the Irish mingled with Aussies and New Zealanders while barkers, board members, administrators and Variety supporters from around the world reconnected and learned from one another at the 83rd Variety International World Conference held May 19-23 in Hollywood, CA.
Over 250 gathered at the Renaissance Hotel where International Chairman Monty Hall welcomed those from all the worldwide tents throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East to celebrate their progress and give them the resources to make their tents stronger. Participants shared their success stories and provided resources for helping others to take their tents to new heights.
Because Hollywood is known as a place where “dreams come true,” the focus was on helping disabled and disadvantaged children experience more enriched lives and giving them the hope that this can be true for them, too. One of the highlights was hearing a children’s choir perform with energy and enthusiasm knowing that Variety is actively working to improve their quality of life
The White House sent a special message from President Barack Obama that read, in part:
Variety the Children’s Charity should be commended for the great work it does on behalf of children across the globe, and each of you applauded for your contributions to this wonderful charity. Children everywhere are counting on organizations like Variety to provide assistance when there is nowhere else to turn.
In addition to the presentations that covered a wide range of topics from Legacy Giving and Text Message Donations by the British Columbia tent to the Santa Fun Run by the New South Wales tent and Social Marketing by the Iowa tent there were many awards given out to tents and individuals whose achievements have made the greatest difference.
There were whoops and cheers for the announcements of the William R. Forman Heart Award winners. We were very proud to hear the BRONZE HEART went to Tent 4, Variety of St. Louis, the SILVER HEART went to Tent 17, Variety of Texas and the band played Hava Na’gila when Israel was announced as the GOLD HEART winner.
Other honored awards went to the following winners:
- Humanitarian Award - Simon Cowell
- Catherine Variety Sheridan Award - Dutchess of York, Sarah Ferguson
- Corporate Award - The Coca-Cola Company
- Sir James Carerras Award - Dr. Luis Montes
Please click here to view the TENT PRESENTATIONS and to learn more about, YOUNG VARIETY, URBAN VARIETY and VARIETY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS around the world: http://www.varietychildrenscharity.org/events_and_press/conventions.php
To view photos, click on the photo below to view the Picasa gallery:
Variety Donates Hundreds More
Variety was thrilled to donate $500 to the Oak Lawn Park District Special Recreational Department to help them obtain needed items for their new facility. Each year the Oak Lawn Park District Special Recreation Department implements more than 100 quality recreation programs and services for both children and adults with special needs. Quality recreational programs such as Youth Programs, Social Clubs, and Special Olympics sports are only a few of the diversified opportunities for fun and development.
Their mission is to serve as an integral partner with their cooperative districts and villages to positively impact individuals with disabilities through diverse recreation opportunities and community services. The items on their wish list include a set of Social Story Books, which teach children to effectively deal with social situations, a soft play furniture set, an Adapta-Bench, and Cubbie Coat Center among other items.
Variety Supports Sports Camps for the Disabled
This article appears in the May 2010 issue of Chicago Parent Magazine. [Download printed article]
One-day, free sports camps are scheduled this summer for kids, 6-18, with physical or mental disabilities. cubscamp The Chicago Cubs and the city's five other professional sports teams will offer one-day camps this summer and fall for kids with mental or physical disabilities. The interactive camps feature basic skills adapted to children and their abilities. The two-hour camps include instruction, use of equipment and wrap-up with a lunch or snack.
Professional athletes and mascots usually make appearances, says Jody Grimaldi, spokesperson for Variety of Illinois, which hosts the clinics along with the National Sports Center for the Disabled and Chicago sports teams.
"It give these children the same chance as able-bodied children," Grimaldi says. "Really, it's all about having fun. We set up volunteers to field their hits and tees for kids in wheelchairs." The camp season includes a Chicago Fire soccer clinic, plus Cubs and White Sox baseball camps. A Chicago Bears camp will be held in August at the team's training facility in Bourbonnais, while Bulls and Blackhawks camps are slated for later in the year. Participants must register by going to www.nscd.org/programs/sportscamp_overview and clicking on the specific camp(s) or by calling (303) 293-5310. To volunteer helping with the camps, contact Janna Penhale at jannapenhale@gmail.com.
Northwestern University Students UNITY combines fashion and culture for Variety International
The third annual Unity Charity Fashion show combined fashion and philanthropy to raise a record $2,000 Saturday night in the Norris Student Center. 24 Northwestern student models strutted their stuff down the catwalk. Featured fashions came from various cultures as well as popular brands like Urban outfitters, Click, Akira and the Northface. Student designers Nicole Sobaski, Michelle Brown and Nadina Gerlach also made a showing.
The proceeds went to two select philanthropy organizations: The Generation Project and Variety Children’s Charity. Three-hundred-fifty students were in attendance. "We chose fashion because UNITY is a [product of] co-sponsorship of different cultural groups on campus," said co-president and Weinberg sophomore Leo Zhu. "This year we had 11 co-sponsors.
The founders chose fashion because fashion is a uniting aspect of every culture." Chicagoan artist Jabari Rayford kicked off the show with his entertaining renditions of pop and R&B songs. Singer/Songwriter Marie Digby, who has gained fame through her Youtube covers of popular songs, performed in the second half. Guitar in hand, she performed ‘Say it Again’, an original piece, an acoustic cover of Rihanna’s "Umbrella" and Beyonce’s "Sweet Dreams." Members of the audience sang along. Michelle Baert, President of Variety of Illinois, spoke about the roots of Variety Children’s Charity.
She explained that the philanthropy started when an infant was left abandoned on the steps of a movie theater and movie theater employees took the baby in. Since then, Variety of Illinois has provided programs and services for children with disabilities and disadvantaged youth. The Generation Project was the other recipient of UNITY’s donations. Jessica Rauch, founder of the Generation Project, spoke to the audience about her philanthropy’s goal, which is to allow donors to become "actively involved in their giving."
Lydia Hsu, UNITY model and Weinberg junior, called the show a success.
Variety Donates $5000 to the Chicago Park District’s Adaptive Sports Camps
For some children with disabilities, attending summer camp is something they hear about from classmates in the fall. The Special Recreation Department of the Chicago Park District offers hundreds of children and young adults with a range of physical and cognitive disabilities the opportunity to try sports, art, and music in an extremely accepting setting, so they don’t have to hear about camp from others. They can experience it firsthand.
Through one-week Adaptive Camps, participants have the chance to enjoy arts and crafts, adaptive cycling, swimming, fishing, adaptive sailing, sports, and kayaking.
In 2010, five camps will be offered throughout the Chicago Park District. Variety – the Children’s Charity of Illinois donated $5,000 to fund materials and supplies for:
Two Inclusive Sports Camp (Independence Park & Norwood Park): This camp is free of charge and is available for individuals with cognitive, physical and/or sensory disabilities and their siblings or peers. Activities include adaptive cycling, kayaking and fishing.
Paralympic Sport Camp (locations TBD): Camp for youth and teens with physical disabilities have an introduction to paralympic sports.
Adaptive Sports Camps (Mount Greenwood Park): This camp is for youth and teens with physical disabilities and a secondary disability.
Blind/Visually Impaired Sports Camp (Piotrowski Park or Davis Square Park): This camp is for youth, teens and young adults. Sailing, goal ball, beep baseball, swimming, track and field, and cultural activities will be offered.
Variety is thrilled to help give children with disabilities the way to experience summer camp, just like other kids do.
For more information about Chicagoparkdistrict.com
Variety Celebrates Board Member Linda Mastandrea’s Induction into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
Variety is pleased to announce our own Linda Mastandrea was recently inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, alongside Major League Baseball pitcher Dave Righetti, boxer Paulie Malignaggi, and Major League Baseball third baseman Gary Gaetti. Linda is the first female Paralympic athlete and only the second Paralympian ever inducted.
Linda is an attorney in Chicago, IL with a practice concentrating in disability law and advocacy. Introduced to wheelchair and disability sport while in college at the University of Illinois, Linda went on to compete in wheelchair basketball for 12 years, and in wheelchair track for 10.
She represented the United States in Paralympic, World Championship and Pan American competition in wheelchair track winning 15 gold and 5 silver medals over seven years. She held national and world records in all five distances in which she competed during her career.
Linda is a published author. Her recent book, Sports and the Physically Challenged: An Encyclopedia of People, Events and Organizations came on the market in October, 2006. She has also been published in numerous disability publications, including We Media, Exceptional Parent, Sports ‘n Spokes, and New Mobility magazines.
Linda is actively involved in the community, particularly around disability advocacy and sports issues. She serves on the city of Chicago’s Building Board of Appeals, as well as AT & T’s Advisory Panel on Accessibility and Aging. She serves on the board of Access Living, chairing their Lawyer’s Advisory Committee for two years. She is 2nd Vice President of Variety of Illinois’ board and works with them on their Kids on the Go! Program, helping children with disabilities obtain equipment like wheelchairs and adaptive bikes.
She was Vice President of the National Disability Sports Alliance, and served two years on the United States Olympic Committee Board of Directors. She is a member of the legal committee of the International Paralympic Committee, recently served as Chairperson of the IPC Electoral Commission, and has worked with the IPC to promote human rights issues through the vehicle of Paralympic and disability sport. Most recently, Linda worked with Chicago 2016 as Director of Paralympic Sport and Accessibility, in the city’s quest to bring the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Chicago. She was honored to be part of the team that made the final presentation in Copenhagen, along with Mayor Daley, President and Mrs. Obama.
And the Award Went to...
For those who dreamed of walking down the red carpet at the Academy Awards dressed like a star, they enjoyed the next best thing at Hollywood Palms. Benefiting Variety, the Children’s Charity of Illinois, the Annual Academy Award Viewing Party at the new Hollywood Palms (352 S. Route 59, Naperville, IL) took place on Oscar night, Sunday, March 7th at 6 pm.
Festivities included:
- Red Carpet fashion, gossip and interviews
- The Academy Awards was on the BIG screen with Hollywood’s signature to- your-seat service
- Silent Auction items with premium gifts such as luxurious hotel stays, spa packages, restaurant gift cards and more!
- Grand Prize Winner will be flown with a guest to sunny Los Angeles, CA to attend one of the summer’s biggest movie premieres!
Over 150 people glammed up and enjoyed a champagne and appetizer reception and took home "swag bag" goodies and photo. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefited Variety.
