Every penny stays right here in WNY ~ Variety Club slogan

One afternoon in Pittsburgh in 1927, a group of eleven theater owners and a showman played cards backstage after a matinee. They heard a cry in the theatre. They followed the sound of this lone voice and found a one-month-old baby girl with a note pinned to her chest. This baby inspired these men to turn their social club into a charitable organization (learn more about this heartwarming story here). As they were show people, the centerpiece of their fundraising effort was entertainment and eventually The Variety Club Telethon was born. Last week at Chef’s restaurant, I attended this year’s kick-off, informational meeting and luncheon for the 55th Annual Variety Club Telethon.  

For more than 80 years, Variety of WNY has raised money to support Women and Children’s Hospital and other child-related causes. Their annual telethon is largely responsible for this giving. In 2016, the Variety raised more than a million dollars. WNY Variety Kids Telethon is the longest-running, locally-produced telethon in the nation. This year’s funds target the Robert Werner Rehab wing of the new hospital which will continue to provide comprehensive rehabilitative services to children of WNY who have known or suspected disabilities. The wing will support a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Rose DiPaola, a longtime Variety volunteer and leader of the Women's Group, carries the original Variety job title Dough Guy. She, along with Dorothy and Priscilla (official title - Property Master) have volunteered since the 1970s as members of Woman’s Group, which hosts fundraisers during the year through their churches, neighborhoods and other interested, local establishments.  

The Hoffman family were special guests at the luncheon. Kelly and Kyle Hoffman, six-year-old twins born at Women and Children’s Hospital, are this year’s celebrity children for the event. The twins faced serious obstacles when they were born prematurely and have received continuing services at Women and Children’s including the NICU, Occupational and Physical therapy, hippotherapy and aqua therapy. After facing these daunting early childhood challenges, they now are attending kindergarten together.

Kate Morse from the Channel 7 news department emceed the luncheon. WKBW has hosted the event for 54 of the  event's 55 years.

Speakers:

• This year’s Chief Barker, Paul Cambria lauded the more than one hundred volunteers and their dedication that makes the telethon a reality. Channel 7 contributes air time and resources. This year the telethon has moved to the Seneca-Niagara Casino. Mr. Cambria outlined the considerable savings the new venue represents as well as the enhanced “spirit and vibe” found at the casino.

• Don Raiser, Buffalo business man, music aficionado and General Chairman of the event, announced that the Goo Goo Dolls, Buffalo natives and selfless donors of their time and talents, will perform at the telethon. Great enthusiasm ensued.

• Joseph Sahlen, owner and president of Sahlen's Hot Dogs, is the Honorary Chairman of this year’s event. He discussed matching funds for “heart dogs.” Restaurant-goers will be able to donate $1 to the Telethon in exchange for signing their name on a paper hot dog that will be displayed at area restaurants that sell Sahlen's hot dogs.

• A representative from Seneca-Niagara welcomed the group to their new venue.

Usually bored by officious events, I exited an informed believer. Touching personal stories regarding afflicted children were intermingled with brief and relevant remarks. I was struck by the homogenous nature of the gathering. Buffalo enjoys a large minority population. I would have liked to have seen our diversity represented.

That said, no question that the cause is a worthy and vital one and that Variety volunteers and professionals do a superb job in forwarding their cause. Visit the website to see where the money goes and observe the faces of the children and families it helps. And then, DONATE.

The 2017 Variety Kid’s Telethon will be aired on Channel 7 on Sunday, April 2 from 7:00am to 7:00pm. It will also be streamed live on www.wkbw.com with frequent updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.