Sophisticated Details: For almost 90 years, Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis has been dedicated to empowering local children with disabilities to live amazing lives.We provide access to vital medical equipment and therapies as well as the opportunity to participate in innovative recreation and Performing Arts programs. 

Through a combination of services and programs, we improve Variety Kids’ quality of life by helping them establish their independence, learn new skills, improve socialization with family and friends, and increase their self-esteem. Variety aims to help Variety Kids redefine their abilities and reimagine their possibilities, every day.

Sophisticated Connections: Variety St. Louis serves children with special needs and their families living in the greater St. Louis region. Our service area covers a total of 30 counties – 15 in Missouri and 15 in Illinois – and we assist more than 1,100 Variety Kids. This number is expected to grow in 2021.

In 2020, Variety provided 439 pieces of medical equipment, which were used for more than 1.7 million hours and made it possible for Variety Kids to independently access their world. We also provided 5,463 hours of virtual camp, 2,229 hours of therapy and 5,066 hours of performing arts programs.

Beyond our Variety Families, Variety also seeks to spread a message of acceptance and inclusion throughout the area.

Sophisticated Goals: With support from the community, we have adapted our programs to fulfill our mission differently by providing innovative solutions to the many challenges presented by a global pandemic. This included introducing virtual camp, expanding our assistance to include virtual therapy, hosting a virtual musical featuring Variety Kids, and working with vendors to ensure the safe delivery of medical equipment.

In 2021, Variety aims to continue these changes which allow us to provide uninterrupted access to the services Variety Kids need to avoid health setbacks during the pandemic. Children with special needs are among those most vulnerable to the coronavirus, and many of their families have lost income and resources as schools and businesses shut down, making it more crucial than ever that we assist them whenever possible.  

We cannot do this without the help of our generous supporters. With major in-person fundraising events canceled for the second year in a row, we are relying on your generosity to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of children with disabilities in our area – needs that only continue to grow in the face of the pandemic. 

Sophisticated Giving: Donors can make a difference today by giving to support Variety Kids. Donations can be made online at HelpAVarietyKid.org or by calling 314.720.7707. Every dollar raised stays right here in St. Louis to help local kids with special needs and their families, and your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you! 

Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis

11840 Westline Industrial Drive

Suite 220

St. Louis, MO.  63146

314.720.7700

VarietySTL.org

Facebook: varietystl

Instagram: @varietystl

Twitter: @VarietySTL

Charity Listing Sponsored By The Nick Sansone Charitable Fund

The Everyday PossAbilities campaign will highlight how Variety’s equipment, therapy, camp and performing arts programs help kids redefine abilities. The impact of these programs redefines their future possibilities for independence, self-expression and connection with the world. Reaching our campaign goal will help Variety  eliminatea waitlist and provide these children with the tools they need to be fully-engaged in our community.  

By offering a leadership matching gift, Steward Family Foundation asks the entire community to join with them and ensure Variety not only reaches but surpasses our goal. With this incredible generosity, the impact of every donation will be doubled! On behalf of the Steward Family Foundation, David Steward said, “Thelma, our children and I are honored to serve Variety St. Louis and all that they do for children with special needs, the most vulnerable among us. Jesus said children are the kingdom of heaven. We pray that people across the St. Louis community will join us in our efforts to support Variety’s outstanding programs that change the lives of so many children.” 

Every Day PossAbilities Campaign will feature four stories highlighting the everyday abilities Variety’s programs provide: Jada’s power wheelchair giving her the ability to Take a Stand; Lars’s therapy allowing him to Take the First Step; Ava and Ashlyn meeting at Adventure Camp and Making a Lifelong Friend; and IV’s principal role in Variety Theatre which taught him how to Raise His Voice. 

“Variety the Children’s Charity of St Louis believes that engaging in the everyday activities that most kids take for granted is important for all children. Granting a piece of medical equipment is much more than the equipment itself, it unlocks the ability to join in or participate ,”  says Larry Otto, Board Chair. “Variety makes gifts of medical equipment and provides therapies and innovative programs that give kids more possibilities every single day.”