Variety the Children's Charity of Texas
For the Kids eNews 
August 2008
In This Issue
* It's Official
* Making "Moments"
* Starting School Off Right
Spotlighted Sponsor
Johnson Abbotts International
 
Johnson Abbotts International
 has been a valued friend to Variety over the years. In 2007, JAI became the first ever presenting sponsor of our Bikes for Kids program. In 2008, they renewed their support for the program by once again presenting the event, and assisting Variety in ensuring that Angel and his family received their bicycle (story below). 
It's Official
   Variety the Children's Charity of North Texas is now...drum roll please...Variety the Children's Charity of Texas.
   While exact programmatic offerings in other parts of the state are still being formulated, we have already opened up Heart of Variety Fund assistance to children all across the state and will be presenting selected children from Houston with their durable medical goods and therapeutic services at a special event in the coming weeks. Additionally, Variety's last two Special Needs Screeners were offered to families raising special needs children in Houston, and will continue with upcoming screenings.
   This expansion will allow Variety to touch the lives of many more children, and families, in need of our services. It is due to the support of our donors, members, volunteers and other supporters that we are confident the time is right. 
   This expansion will necessitate Variety changing our website (currently in development), e-mail addresses and other changes. In addition to these, Variety will be moving offices in the coming months. Be on the lookout for all of the exciting changes to come.
Making "Moments"
Angel    Cerebral palsy is a medical condition that means many different things. William has cerebral palsy. Yet, he is able to walk with the assistance of a walker and even threw the first pitch at last year's Take 'em Out to a Ballgame event with the Texas Rangers. Claire, Variety's first funded child through the revamped Heart of Variety Fund, lives with cerebral palsy and is dependant upon her parents to get from place to place.
   Angel, a 15-year-old from Roanoke, has more in common with Claire than William. He is 100% dependant upon his family for feeding, transportation, bathing and all other aspects of day to day living.
   All to often, children confined to wheelchairs, and other devices, never see the outdoors. They do not get to experience the simple pleasures in life that so many of us take for granted.
  Riding a bike was one of the simple pleasures his family wanted to give him. After test riding a specially adapted bicycle for the first time, Angel showed the pure joy he was experiencing by laughing uncontrollably.
   Angel's mother, Brenda, told Variety, "When my son was born I wanted God to cure him. I wanted to see him like any other 'normal' kid, I didn't like to go out because people would stare at him...Now, as the years go by, I just want to live my life to make him laugh, smile and be happy...He has taught me what love really is and sharing moments, great moments, that is all there is in life." 
Angel and Grandmother   With the primary assistance from Johnson Abbotts International and additional support from Rehab Specialties, Variety is helping Brenda make even more moments.
   But, it is not just Angel and his mother. His grandmother taught herself how to ride a bicycle for the first time, because he enjoys being in it so much. His cousins take him for rides around the block, and Angel is now making moments with all that he comes in contact with.
  Video of Angel and his bike (very short) 
Starting School Off Right
   A call from the Police Department is a dreaded occurrence for many people. For Variety, it provided the chance to assist 16 local elementary children with the opportunity to be just like all the other kids who bring their school supplies to school on the first day.
   A representative of the Dallas Police Department, a long and valued friend of Variety's, called looking for places to go to get school supplies for some very deserving children she was working with. These children, mostly from single family households with multiple children, simply could not afford the $40-65 dollars per child required.
   With partial assistance from the First United Methodist Church of Dallas' Agape Class, under the leadership of Michelle Blankenship, Variety presented each child with the full complement of their requested school supplies, and even threw in a brand new backpack for each one.
Your Turn to Make a "Moment"
Donate NowPlease consider assisting Variety in making "moments" in the lives of families like Angel's. Without support from individuals like you, Variety will not be able to make these "moments" happen.
 
Form 990's and Audited Financial Statements are available online. W-9's and other information is available upon request. 
Upcoming News of Interest
* September 20 - Special Needs Screening of IGOR...Details coming soon
* September 20 - Take 'em Out to a Ballgame in Arlington...Details coming soon
* September 22 - Heart of Variety Fund recipient to throw out first pitch at Rangers game...Details coming soon
* September TBD - Take 'em Out to a Ballgame in Houston...Details coming soon
* September TBD - Five Houston children to receive specially adapted bicycles, and a sixth to receive support for continued physical therapy...Details coming soon
* October 28 and 29 - 61st Annual Golf Tournament and Awards Dinner honoring Thomas W. Stephenson, Jr., of Rave Motion Pictures
Variety has been promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children all across Texas for more than 70 years.