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Variety @ Work with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago On Friday, October 27, 2006 Variety Club sponsored approximately 1200 kids from Chicago area schools to attend the 23rd annual Chicago Children's International Film Festival at the Kerasotes City North 14 Theatres. The kids were treated to one of the many films screened at the festival along with the opportunity to attend various film related workshops. The special guest and host for the fest was radio star and children's book (The Big Galoot) author Shadoe Stevens. Variety @ Work with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Variety @ Work donated $50,000 through their Variety Kids Adventure Program. The day also featured a picnic, softball and assortment of arts and crafts for all to enjoy. Click here to view pictures of this day. Variety Kids Adventure Program On Friday, August 25, 2006, Variety took place in the Adaptive Cycling Outing which took place at Foster Avenue Beach in Chicago, Illinois. The outing benefitted the kids of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Click here view pictures of this exciting day. Variety @ Work with the Chicago Police Department's Marine Unit Tour On Thursday, June 22, the students of the San Miquel Schools enjoyed a tour of the Chicago Police Departments Marine Unit. Officer Leticia Alvarado and Officer Ed Beltran conducted the tour for the students and explained the role of the CPD Marine Unit, let the students see and try out some of their equipment and explore their various vehicles. Click here to view pictures of this day. Variety Presents a Check To CCIFF Variety presented a check to Nicole Dreiske, Founder and Artisic Director of the Chicago Children's International Film Festival for $7,700. Click here for more information on the Chicago Children's International Film Festival. Variety Presents a Check on Behalf of 'Brittany's Burn Camp Benefit' Variety Club presented a check for $1000 to Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp on behalf of Brittany Bosca and 'Brittany's Burn Camp Benefit'. On Saturday, July 23rd Brittany raised $5700. Since then she has raised $8300, you can donate by visiting Brittany's wesbite at www.brittanysburncampbenefit.com. The 21st Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival The 21st annual event was hosted by Lavar Burton, whom took home the award for Best Children's Film, Blizzard. The viewings were in theaters throughout the City of Chicago and children from various Chicago Public Schools were the judges for this special festival. For more information on The Chicago International Film Festival, click here. Awards and recognition are available at this website. Click here for more pictures. Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Variety Club hosted the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center. We had a terrific time and the White Sox won with a 3-run homer by Joe Crede in the bottom of the ninth inning!!! Click here for more pictures. Chicago Cubs vs. Florida Marlins Children from the Jack Sparberg Children's Amputee Program The Variety Club Ann and Jack Sparberg Children's Amputee Program housed in a wing at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), the Variety Club Ann and Jack Sparberg Children's Amputee Program provides comprehensive assessment, consultation and rehabilitation for children with amputations and limb deficiencies. The coordination of on-site patient care, education, research and financial support ensures that each patient benefits from the latest advances in amputee care, prosthetics engineering and rehabilitation. Last year, nearly 200 children from Illinois, who were either born with a limb deficiency or disabled by accident or illness, were treated at the Institute through the Variety Club Amputee Program. Click here to view pictures. Special Free Screening of "Brother Bear" Variety arranged a very special free screening of the animated film "Brother Bear" for about 100 children from Little City Foundation, Project Education Plus, MLK Boys and Girls' Club, BBF Family Services, Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, and the Walter Payton Foundation. Each child received a snack, a soda, and enjoyed the film courtesy of Variety. A big 'Thank You' to Disney Studios and ICE Theatres for making it possible. Holiday Party for the Children at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Variety is a major supporter of the Pediatric Amputee Wing at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Variety presented a donation of $50,000 to the Ann & Jack Sparberg Children's Amputee Program at the party - funds used to give prostheses to children who otherwise could not afford them. Toys collected at the Radio Disney 5th Birthday Bash in July were given to all the kids at the party. Approximately 250 children enjoyed the festivities this year. The 20th Annual Chicago International CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL The 19th annual festival was a great success, featuring an incredible 220 of the best films and videos for children in more than 150 screenings. Attendance at the AMC Theaters, the Vittum Theater, the Biograph Theater and Facets Multi-Media included 21,000 children, adults and educator who celebrated the achievements of filmmakers from over 30 countries. The films in the 2002's Festival educated our audiences about confronting racial stereotypes, taught kids self-esteem and exposed them to images of diverse cultures from around the world. This years Honorary Chair was Maggie Daley and the Festival Host was children's rights activist Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman). FESTIVAL AWARDS CEREMONY WINNERS Emcees Jonathan Lipnicki and Harold Ramis hosted the closing Awards Ceremony on November 2nd. The coveted "Sara Lee Foundation Best of Fest" Award was won by director Rob Thompson for "Journey to Little Rock: The Untold Story of Minnijean Brown Trickey". Academy qualifying winners included: Sheldon Cohen's "I Want A Dog" - First Prize for Animated Short Film or Video from the Adult Jury. Angela M. Murray's "The Choir" - First Prize for Live Action Short Film or Video. Jorge Carmona won the $2500 cash prize from the Montgomery Foundation for Best Film by an Emerging director, for "Never In A Straight Line." "Fade Away" by Andre Koogan Breitman won the Liv Ullman Peace Prize, and the Rights of the Child Prize went to Victor Viyuoh for Mboutoukou. For a complete list of festival awards, click here. Variety The Children's Charity of Illinois & Dreamworks July 25, 2003 Los Angeles, California Ory Slonim, President of Variety Club International, awards Dreamworks Co-Founder Jefferey Katzenberg with the Presidents Award. Variety Club of Illinois and Radio Disney Birthday Party July 20, 2003 GameWorks -- Schaumburg, IL Radio Disney (WRDZ AM-1300) in Chicago celebrated their 5th anniversary, but at their birthday party Variety's Kids were the guests of honor. Radio Disney paired with the Variety Club of Illinois to celebrate Disney's 5th on-air anniversary at GameWorks of Schaumburg. Listeners were invited to donate a new toy to Variety Club's Ann and Jack Sparberg Children's Amputee Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. The hundreds of toys collected at the event are sure to put huge smiles on Variety's Kids' faces at our annual holiday party in December. For each toy donated, the listener received a free $5 play card for GameWorks fun and were entered into a drawing to win their own birthday party at the indoor amusement facility. DJs "G-Man" and "PK The Cosmic DJ" and the rest of the Radio Disney crew rocked the house with two live shows of music, games, give-aways, and a giant birthday cake. The kids' faces were totally aglow with delight watching the show. Our special thanks to Cat Wolfe, "G-Man" and "PK" of Radio Disney and to Lisa Viane of GameWorks for creating a great event to benefit Variety Club of Illinois! Variety The Children's Charity of Illinois & The Chicago Bears June 19, 2003 Halas Hall - Lake Forest, IL Kordell Stewart, Chicago Bears Quarterback, poses with Variety The Children's Charity of Illinois during training camp 2003. Variety Club’s “Serving the Children” Luncheon” July 24, 2002 Navy Pier, Chicago Dubbed “Serving the Children,” Variety International’s Textile Division, in conjunction with Variety Club of Illinois and Disney Radio, organized an unforgettable luncheon at Chicago’s own Navy Pier this past July 24, 2002. Invited by the local Variety Club chapter, tent 26, approximately 150 children were in attendance from nearby organizations; including Little City Foundation, Better Boys Foundation, Project Education Plus, Chicago Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and Glenwood School. The event was sponsored by M&R Sales and Services and items were donated by Hanes, Jerzees, Moviefacts, and Foremost Athletic. The event also had company sponsored children’s table from Primedia Business, Crystal Springs, The Embroidery Store, Geo Knight and Company, Lauire Gonz, Embroidery unlimited, Printwear Magazine, US Aprons and Amtex. Variety Club members and volunteers donning “Serving the Children” aprons and smiles greeted each child as the booming beats of Disney Radio resonated in everybody’s ears. Although the children had seen their fair share of ill fortune (they consisted of 7 to 12 year-olds, who were mentally handicapped, physically disabled or neglected), fun was to be had by all on this sunny summer day. Beginning with a scrumptious lunch, served personally to each child from a member or volunteer, the day was highlighted by the interactive entertainment of Disney Radio’s PK the Cosmic DJ and G Man. From limbo contests to hula-hoop marathons to clapping frenzies, PK the Cosmic DJ and G Man were nothing short of fabulous! PK and G Man controlled the tempo of the event from the get-go, never allowing it to fade but even for a moment. By 2:00 p.m., each child grabbed a goody bag and bid farewell. They all left with a grin… 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