News from Variety the Children's Charity of North Texas

Variety would like to thank Nestle USA, for everything they do for Variety. Not only is Nestle one of our annual Golf Tournament sponsors, but many of Variety's programs would not be as special as they are without their generous in-kind support of various products.

Greetings!

For many, the holiday season is all about children. And, much it should be.

That's one of the reasons that Variety has been so busy this month.

From our 32nd Annual Holiday Party, working with the children of St. Rita's Catholic School, hosting a premiere screening of The Waterhorse (see the photos) to our three Special Needs Movie Screenings we have been full of the holiday spirit.

We would like to thank the 6th Grade Class of St. Rita's Catholic School for thier hard work in supporting Variety's Holiday Party (more below), AT&T Pioneers of Richardson for their generous donation of 50 Hug-A-Bears for some of Variety's Special Needs children, the Dallas Alumnae of Gamma Phi Beta for their donation of more than $350 worth of toys for children, our renewing and new Cinema Passport (details below) subscribers and everyone else who helped make this December one to remember.

Kids Helping Kids (And Honoring the Troops)

Variety's 32nd Annual Holiday Party here in North Texas was the first of its kind. While providing over 850 special needs and disadvantaged children from North Texas with something to smile about this holiday, and providing them the opportunity to see a first-run, family friendly film was not out of the ordinary. Who helped make it all happen was.

In a partnership with the 6th Grade Class of St. Rita's Catholic School, Variety was able to provide the class a new sense of what the holiday's are all about. In a unique service learning project, the class sold Variety's Gold Heart Pins amongst themselves, their family and their friends to raise funds for the program.

But, the support didn't stop there. Over 50 members of the class were present to welcome the attendees at Variety's event, paint a few faces along the way and present each attendee with a special gift bag from Variety full of educational toys, games, books and much more.

In addition, the males members of the class (and their Boy Scout Troop) took time during the event to write 200 holiday cards that are being distributed to the U.S. Armed Forces oversees.

But, as they say...seeing is believing. So, take a moment to see the kids, and Variety's many other volunteers, in action.

Seeing Films in a Special Way

Variety has a long standing tradition of support from the film industry. And, going to movies is something that Variety feels every child should have the ability to experience.

But, what if you are raising a special needs child. One who may have a tendancy to act out at loud noises, be prone to loud outburst, need to move around in his/her chair. All these are things that Variety has taken into account with our Special Needs Movie Screenings.

In a partnership with Studio Movie Grill locations in Arlington, Lewisville and Plano; Variety hosts a number of screenings that are limited to families raising children with these types of needs. Not only do these screenings take place in an environment of peers, but they also take place in a raised lighting and lowered sound volume theatre to ease the comfort of our attendees. And, best of all, Variety covers the ticket costs for all children...special needs and siblings.

Lisa, a mother of two, recently thanked Variety for hosting these screenings:

Yesterday, my 11-year-old daughter, Paige, and I saw Alvin & The Chipmunks. This may not seem like a big deal on the face of it, but for us it's huge.

Paige has autism, and before the Studio Movie Grill in Arlington opened this Spring, the last movie we'd taken her to was Finding Nemo. We only made it a quarter of the way through!

In the past six months, we have seen nearly every movie Variety has offered to the special needs crowd. A few weeks ago, my husband and I even took our toddler, Chip, to see Mr. Magorium. This proved to be a wonderful family outing (it was his movie, and he did great).

I cannot thank Variety enough for making this opportunity available to us and to our friends in similar situations. At nearly every showing, we've seen Paige's classmates or kids we know from the Special Olympics - - it makes the experience even more fun!

We appreciate you so very much for underwriting this program.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Read what the Plano Profile and Brenda Rozinsky (mother to Samantha) had to say about the program in the December issue of Plano Profile.

For detials on Variety upcoming Special Needs Screening of The Waterhorse on December 29th, please visit Studio Movie Grill's website.

Free Movies for a Year

You read it right. Free movies for a year. Are you intrigued?

Become one a select group of individuals whose support of Variety entitles them to free movies for a year at one of 13 participating theatre circuits.

For full details, restrictions and reasons why you need to have a pass of your very own, please visit our website.

Variety has been promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children all across North Texas for more than 70 years.