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August 3, 2005 - Variety staff and volunteers (left) are happy to present a Sunshine Coach to the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center (right). The Center uses the Sunshine Coach as part of its multi-disciplinary response to the treatment of sexual abuse victims ages 3-17. The Coaches transport children and their family to therapy, court, or other appointments as part of the healing process. The CCAC conducts approximately 3,000 investigations of abuse per year, serving as a central location for intake, investigation and follow-up for all child sexual abuse victims. The Center coordinates an effective treatment and legal process with legal, medical, child protective and social service professionals (including State's Attorney's office, Chicago Police, Child Protective Services, Cook County Hospital specialty clinic, and mental health professionals) who are co-housed at the Center. Through generous support of the Ford Motor Company, the Variety Sunshine Coach Program was born nearly 40 years ago and currently has over 8,250 on the road worldwide as a means to literally bring the "shut-in" child out into the sunshine. The coaches bring special-needs children to treatment, therapy, education and the larger world. The program in a myriad of ways has served at least 55 million children worldwide of every conceivable condition. The Ford Motor Company provides the Variety Club of Illinois the use of two vans for a three-year period, free of charge. Each coach can be specially equipped and adapted for a particular service. Hydraulic lifts and specialized equipment can also be included. Variety Club of Illinois selects recipient organizations or individuals from many requests. After the three year use, Variety buys the vans or returns them to Ford to replace them with others. Often we will purchase a Sunshine Coach or secure a sponsor for it. Corporations may sponsor a coach and have their name prominently represented on the vehicle, or an individual or family group will elect to sponsor a coach as an especially meaningful memorial. Variety Club Children's Charities - 200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60601-6436 (312) 822-0660 (voice) - (312) 822-0661 (fax) or e-mail info@varietyclub26.org. Tax ID: 36-1908475