History

Variety the Children’s Charity has been a pillar in the St. Louis community for nearly 80 years. We cherish our relationships with corporations, organizations and individuals that allow us to be the children’s charity in St. Louis to help local kids with disabilities. Because of Variety’s rich history and strong ties, the community knows to count on us to care for St. Louis kids. Variety has evolved over the years, but our heart remains the same.

1930s

1932 – St. Louis became the home of the Variety Club’s fourth “tent,” just four years after Variety was established as the entertainment industry’s charity in Pittsburgh, Pa.

1940s

1940 – Variety the Children's Charity started the decade off by honoring George Washington Carver with the 1940 Variety International Humanitarian Award. Variety was a pioneer during this time – awarding an African-American during a time of racial turmoil. George Washington Carver was a champion of improving racial relations, as well as working extensively to mentor children and fight poverty, among many other philanthropic endeavors.

1950s

1959 – The Variety Women organization was founded as a woman’s auxiliary, and has since raised more than $2.5 million for Variety’s children through its tribute fund, card party, fashion show and other special events.

1960s

1962 – Variety’s Sunshine Coach program began when the late Leslie A. MacDonnell, chief barker (president) of the Variety Club of Great Britain, encountered a bedridden 8-year-old girl who had never been outside the hospital.

1967 – The Variety Club Telethon and Dinner With the Stars became the premier charity event in St. Louis.

1970s

1971 – Variety’s Man of the Year program began, with the Woman of the Year to follow in 1973. This honor recognizes men and women who have been significant figures in the St. Louis community.

1980s

1982 – Mark Koritz took over as president of the Allocations Committee, and eventually expanded that committee from five people to more than 50 people who are committed to designating funds to agencies in the St. Louis area that are in tune with Variety’s goal of serving children with physical and mental disabilities.

1984 – Sammy Davis Jr. began his six-year run headlining the St. Louis Variety Club Telethon, attracting other stars to the show like Liza Minelli, Billy Crystal and Angie Dickenson.

1985 – The St. Louis Society organized a St. Louis Variety Summer Camp that provided campers with physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in various fitness activities. In 1999, art and music were added to the week-long camp. In 2004, Variety began managing the camp itself, and it has grown into a three-week program.

1989 – Liza Minelli performed “New York, New York” in her bathrobe, after a viewer pledged $10,000 on the condition that Liza would sing that song.

1990s

1990 – Marsha Rae Ratcliff, Variety Club International vice president from London, England, designed a small gold heart pin to be sold to supporters to “wear your heart on your sleeve.” Today, the gold heart pin is an international symbol of Variety chapters worldwide, and is sold locally each year by Wehrenberg Theatres during the months of February and March to raise money for Variety.

1995 – The Bikes for Kids program was founded in September by Variety board member John Weber and Executive Director Jan Albus.

1999 – Night of the Rising Stars was created as the fundraising arm of Young Variety, a standing committee of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis.

2000s

2000 – In October, the first auditions were held for the Variety Children’s Chorus.

2003 – Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis’ board of directors approved a new mission statement on Sept. 12. The organization narrowed its focus to serving children with the greatest needs – those with physical and mental disabilities.

2003 – The word “Club” was dropped from Variety’s name by the international organization.

2004 – Variety Week was established to raise awareness of Variety, and its fundraising events.

2004 – Mary Ann Lee gave Variety a generous gift in the form of a grant that enabled 400 children with disabilities to visit six St. Louis public attractions for a day of learning, socializing and fun. These “St. Louis Through the Eyes of a Disabled Child” outings took place over the course of three years, and in 2006, Mrs. Lee extended the grant for four more years of outings.

2005 – Imo’s for Kids Day was launched, as Imo’s franchises generously donate 10 percent of all proceeds from one day during Variety Week.

2005 – The Dennis and Judith Jones Variety Wonderland Playground was completed in October in Forest Park, providing an inclusive play area for children with and without disabilities.

2006 – The annual Allocations Luncheon was expanded to the Champions for Children Summit, which included an Executive Education Forum for agency executives.

2009 – Variety Children’s Theatre was developed using a generous grant from Nancy and Ken Kranzberg. The inclusive musical theatre program produced “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” in its inaugural year.