three cheers for our volunteers!

Variety - the Children’s Charity4300 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6C6Toll free: 1.800.381.2040 Office: 604.320.0505Registered Charity #108168709

variety.bc.ca

@varietybc.ca

@VarietyBC

@VarietyBC

This summer brought a busy event season for Variety BC and the commitment and dedication of our volunteers is key to the success of these events. We are privileged that many individuals and groups offer their time and talents to Variety year-round. In the summer especially, volunteerism is the driving force behind our fundraisers and offers ample opportunities for volunteers to give back to families in their communities. Samantha, a corporate volunteer from Teekay Shipping Corporation, offered her perspective of this year’s Boat for Hope in Vancouver:

“Each year I look forward to volunteering at the Boat for Hope event. The kids return from their pirate adventure on the high seas with huge smiles on their faces. The parents and caregivers of these children are always so thankful but

I always say to them what we do is nothing compared to what they need to do to take care of their children and the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives.”

- Samantha Heng, Teekay Shipping Corporation

We believe that working as a team means bigger and better results. We’re so grateful to work with over 3000 volunteers each year who offer us their hands and hearts to help us help kids.

Volunteer with us or get your team involved at variety.bc.ca/get-involved

Boat for Hope Kelowna

Photo Credit: Tom

Cooper

Your monthly gift allows Variety to take a planned, long-term approach to making a lasting impact in children’s lives and ensures we are always there when families need us.

“Kalenna has been doing great! When she started in speech therapy at age 6.5, she had only six words but since receiving funding from Variety, which allows us to hire the therapist she needs, she is speaking in full sentences. Two years ago we were learning sign language because we thought she was not going to be able to talk but now she contributes in class discussions, goes alone on play dates with friends and confidently joins summer camps and participates fully (where before she would have held back and been shy).” - Natasha, Kalenna’s Mom

Kalenna

Visit variety.bc.ca/donate-now or phone us at 1.800.381.2040

and we’ll help sign you up!

become a monthly donor

Meet Esabella, a talented 12-year-old passionate about cooking, baking, tap dancing, swimming and acting. She lives in Vancouver with her family and enjoys exploring her talents in the city’s film industry.

Variety provided a bursary grant for Esabella this past year so she can reach her full potential at school. Esabella was entering into Grade 2 when she had a Psychoeducational Assessment and was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. To help with her learning, she would often be taken out of the main classroom to work one-to-one with a teacher. As her peers began to notice, Esabella became the target of bullying. When the bullying continued, Esabella’s parents pulled her from school in the spring of Grade 5. Luckily, they found Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School (KGMS) that offers alternative education for students with learning differences.

It was the day after Spring Break when Esabella started at KGMS

and it was the first time that her parents saw her happy and looking forward to going back to school. Her first comments were that she belonged there.

After seeing such a remarkable change in Esabella, her parents wanted her to continue attending KGMS. With the help of Variety’s tuition bursary, it was possible for Esabella to stay enrolled. She is now entering Grade 8 and is happier, more confident and has found her extended family through the school.

“It has made a HUGE difference. Esabella was bullied at her old school and now she feels like she belongs. Variety has made it possible for Esabella to learn in a safe environment. She is also at a school where she can focus on activities that inspire

her and give her confidence, like piano, tap dancing and acting. Thank you so much for giving us the support we need! You have made school fun again for Esabella. 90% of the kids who go to Esabella’s school have been bullied previously. They all now feel safe and can have fun learning. Thank you so much for giving our daughter the opportunity to be a happy kid again.” – Michael, Esabella’s Dad

Esabella just completed three short films and she is currently working on her own short film with an all-female crew. She continues to manage her dyslexia and ADHD and is able to easily learn and memorize all her lines in the scripts. She continues to build confidence and recently passed her first Royal Conservatory Piano Exam. Way to go, Esabella!

meet esabella - a rising star

inspire variety’s newsletter

fall 2018

“(your support) has made a huge difference. esabella was bullied at her old school and now she feels like she belongs.”

celebrating our successes!

GOLD HEART GALA ⋅ SEPTEMBER 27Variety’s signature event honouring community philanthropists and long time Variety members Bob & Barbara Stewart is again being chaired by Mary Zilba. Tickets and tables are available for a spectacular evening of live entertainment, dinner and auctions at GoldHeartGala.ca.

GLOBAL BC’S VARIETY WEEK ⋅ OCTOBER 22-26

Tune in to Global News Morning, Global News at Noon and Global News Hour at 6 for a week full of Variety stories. See firsthand the impact of your donations on children with special needs in the community!

BUY-LOW VINTAGE MARKET BENEFITTING VARIETY ⋅ NOVEMBER 4Go back in time to shop at vintage grocery prices at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. Once you’re finished filling your freezer, enjoy a one-of-a-kind Breakfast Gala along with live and silent auctions plus exciting prize draws. All while helping BC kids with special needs!

Learn more about upcoming events including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities at variety.bc.ca/events

upcoming events

BOAT FOR HOPE

Pirates, scallywags and salty seadogs took to the high seas this past June for Variety’s annual Boat for Hope events. Taking place in Victoria, Vancouver and Kelowna, these pirate-themed adventures are inclusive escapades on the water that share the boating experience with families of kids with special needs.

Special thanks to HMCS Malahat, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, the Kelowna Yacht Club, Buy-Low Foods, Pharmasave, Mustang Survival and Teekay Shipping Corporation along with all of our amazing sponsors. And congratulations to Alex Maier, our Boat for Hope Raffle Winner who won an incredible Boat Package!

VARIETY RADIOTHONS

Variety Radiothons are like a telethon but over the airwaves! This year, Prince George raised $60,400 over two days (June 20 & 21) while Kelowna raised a total of $21,880 in just one day (June 27)! Thank you to all who donated and to our Radiothon partners, 94.3 The Goat, Country 97 FM and Valley Country in Prince George and Okanagan Oldies 103.9 in Kelowna. And of course, to all of our sponsors including Canadian Tire in Prince George and Harmony Honda in Kelowna!

Inspire | Fall 2018 ⋅ Variety - the Children’s Charity

Boat for Hope 2018

Photo Credit: Tom

Cooper

Photo Credit: Tom

Cooper

“thank you for supporting us in our quest to have every child reach their full potential!” - cally wesson, ceo

cally’s columnAfter a beautiful BC summer, the 5,000+ children that Variety has helped this past year are getting ready to jump back into school. At Variety, we see education as a vital part of the development of children, helping them grow into their full potential. Without proper resources and assistance, many children can get left behind. This year thanks to the generous contributions from our donors, children with learning disabilities can receive educational support and tutoring as well as tuition to specialized schools! This year we want to see even more children thrive in school and we would like to continue to grow to make this goal a reality. As you read through this issue of INSPIRE, we hope that you are inspired by the impact that your donations have made on the lives of children in our communities. Thank you for supporting us in our quest to have every child reach their full potential to thrive!

For more info visit variety.bc.ca

BOB & BARBARA STEWART – THE COUPLE WITH A HEART OF GOLDLongtime Variety members Bob & Barbara Stewart will be honoured with Variety’s Gold Heart Award at Variety BC’s annual Gold Heart Gala to be held at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver on Thursday, September 27.

Bob is a former Chief of the Vancouver Police Department and served as Variety’s Chief Barker during the 90’s and most recently, for two terms in 2010 and 2011. Barbara was Variety’s first woman Chief Barker and creative mastermind behind Variety’s hugely successful Gold Pin program, launched in 1991.

“We are extremely proud to be recognizing Bob and Barbara,” said Cally Wesson, Variety BC CEO. “They have both contributed to Variety in many ways through time, talent and treasure. Their passion for improving the lives of children is a global inspiration.”

The Gold Heart Award is Variety BC’s most prestigious mark of distinction honouring individuals who have done transformational work in the community. The event will once again be chaired by television personality and producer, Mary Zilba. The former Miss Ohio and mother of three boys is thrilled to be part of this premier Vancouver Gala.

In addition to the Gold Heart Award presentation, the evening will include live entertainment, a multi-course dinner and both live & silent auctions.

For more info and to buy tickets, visit GoldHeartGala.ca.

Bob & Barbara Stewart with Mary Zilba (centre)