Variety the Children's Charity of Texas
For the Kids eNews 
December 2008
In This Issue
* Welcome to the New Year
* What A Month
* Saying Goodbye to a Friend
Sponsor Spotlight
 Studio Movie Grill
   Variety would like to thank Studio Movie Grill for its support of Variety over the years. 
   With Studio Movie Grill's support, Variety's Special Needs Screening Series has become a major success and provides, as one parent put it, a place for families raising special needs children to "feel like other families".
   Since the partnership began in October 2006, Variety and Studio Movie Grill have provided over 4,000 special need children and their families this opportunity.
Welcome to the New Year
Variety Logo - Small Square   Yes, we realize it is 2009. And, yes...we realize that this is the December issue of For the Kids eNewsletter.
   Why? Because we wanted to make sure you had the opportunity to read what we are about to say loud and clear...
Thank You!
   Thank you for...assisting Variety with another amazing year of promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children all across Texas.
   Thank you for...making the holidays a little brighter for more than 1,600 children across Texas. 
   Thank you for...just being you.
   As a special thank you...we will be hosting our annual membership meeting on January 20th, and are inviting you all. Details will be coming out shortly.
   Lastly, thank you for...continuing your support of Variety.
What A Month
Happy Holidays   What a month indeed. Through the efforts of numerous sponsors, volunteers and others...the 2008 holiday season was one of the most active we have had in years. And, it truly demonstrated Variety's efforts to expand our reach to children all across this great state. Just look at what all took place.
   Happy Family
   32nd Annual Holiday Party - Dallas -- More than 1,000 children took part in this annual event. The largest crowd we have had in more than five years. Attendees were treated to a first-run, family friendly film; t-shirt; goodie bags; guest appearances by Santa and a certain "Grinch". See the event in pictures.
   Variety would like to thank: AMC Theatres, Scott and Karen Calder, Judy Donachie Happy TrioWatson and The Donachie Foundation, The Regal Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment Matching Gift Fund and many more for their cash support. Just as important to the success of the event were in-kind donations by: Awards to Go, Cinemark USA, Columbia Pictures, MGM, Nestle USA, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. and many others.
 
Boy in Bed   Hospital Bound Children's Toy Give-Away - Houston -- Continuing on the fine efforts of Variety of Houston, Variety of Texas continued to provide toys and gifts to children residing within Houston's Ben Taub and LBJ General Hospitals. Variety volunteers, Santa and Mrs. Claus were able to bring a smile to both children (approximately 50 in Santa, Mrs. & A Little Onerooms and 50 in waiting rooms) and staff (countless). See the festivities in pictures.  
   Variety would like to thank: AMC Theatres, The Regal Foundation and others for their cash support and Wellness International Network, Ltd. for their fantastic donation of teddy bears for all.

San Antonio Sisters   Holiday in Park for Children with Juvenile Diabetes - San Antonio and Dallas -- Thanks to a generous donation from Coca-Cola, Variety and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in both San Antonio and Dallas were able to create wonderful holiday memories for approximately 30 families in each location by providing free tickets for the entire family to Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Over Texas.
   The photo to the left is of 8-year-old Riley, who was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in August, and her 5-year-old sister. Their mother, Aimee, would like to thank all of Variety's supporters for their efforts to get "the opportunity to do things such as this to keep things 'normal' around the house." The photo was taken right after the pair rode their very first roller coaster.
 
Despereaux   Mickey Is Not the Only Popular Mouse in Texas - Arlington, Dallas, Lewisville, Plano and Houston -- The December 20th Special Needs Screening of the Tales of Despereaux proved to be one of the most attended screenings (second highest total attendance and third highest per theatre average) in the programs two and a half year history.

   Giving Santa A Hand - Dallas -- For year's Variety in Texas has prided itself on assisting children who fall through the cracks of other service agencies. This year, Variety was presented with just such an opportunity.
   Variety was contacted by a grandmother and mother of two young children, 8 and 9-year's-old in the Dallas area. Due to conditions beyond the control of either, the children were not going to have a very bright Christmas this year.
   You see...they had missed the deadlines for most other service agencies running holiday programs. So, they contacted Variety for assistance in finding an agency that may be able to help. After several attempts, we realized something...if we wanted these children to have a wonderful holiday...Santa was going to need a little help.
   So, with Variety's assistance, Santa arrived just in time to ensure that both children woke up on Christmas morning with toys, games, books, bikes and more.
Saying Goodbye to a Friend & All Around Great Guy
Steve Holland  Variety wishes to send its condolences to the family, friends and employees of Mr. Steve Holland.
  Steve was a long time friend of Variety's. His passion was helping children, and we were honored to be one of the groups that he enjoyed doing it with. From his financial contributions for Variety's Bikes for Kids, Valentine's & Easter events and annual golf tournament to his in-kind support through On Board Xpress in making their trucks available to Variety whenever needed.
  Steve will be missed by many. He is pictured here at the 2006 Bikes for Kids program with a group of children whose bikes were made possible by his contribution.
  Good bye old friend.
Variety has been promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children all across Texas for more than 70 years.