Variety's 2015 Spring Spotlight Newsletter

VARIETY WEEK APRIL17-25, 2015

Spotl ght A publication of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis

Spring 2015 Issue “I CAN!”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Variety Week 2015 Schedule.................... Page 2-5 Man & Woman of the Year............................Page 6 2015 Gold Heart Pins....................................Page 8 Mary Poppins Audition Information........Page 10

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Dear Variety supporters, Variety Week is your time to stand and be counted.

Creating a better world for children with disabilities takes an entire community pulling together.

More than any other time of year, Variety Week is when we ask St. Louis to wear its heart on its sleeve in supporting our mission.

There are 40,000 children with physical or intellectual disabilities living in Variety’s missiondefined region of 30 counties in Missouri and Illinois. For the parents and guardians tasked with raising these kids, the stakes are higher.

The staggering costs of therapy and equipment are a constant source of financial stress. Time is a precious resource, as parents juggle work commitments with the extra care that their son or daughter requires. No parent should have to choose between providing the very best care for their child or providing necessities like food and electricity. But these are just the sort of heart-wrenching decisions that these families have to make every month.

None of these parents asked for this extra responsibility. Disability arrives without warning — either at birth or due to unexpected events later in a child’s life.

Variety stands with these families by offering them direct services at every step of the way. We don’t just provide wheelchairs; we help to provide a child’s renewed independence. We don’t just provide Variety Adventure Camp; we provide all the new friends that each camper makes by attending.

By supporting us during the essential time of Variety Week, you make all of these programs possible. Our work is really the community’s work: ensuring that every child has the chance to live up to his or her full potential.

Variety Week events are for all St. Louisans. Take your pick and help a Variety kid this year.

Sincerely,

Jan Albus Chief Executive Officer

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Jan Albus with Variety child Kimira

Variety Week | April 17-25, 2015

From our

HELP A VARIETY KID, YOU CHOOSE HOW: NIGHT OF THE RISING STARS Budweiser Brew House at Ballpark Village

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RUNWAY LIGHTS FASHION SHOW

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Union Station Page 3

HELP A VARIETY KID CHALLENGE 24 hours of online and phone-in donations

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IMO’S FOR KIDS DAY All participating Imo’s Pizza Locations

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DINNER WITH THE STARS Peabody Opera House

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FEATURING TONI BRAXTON

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NIGHT OF THE RISING STARS

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Calling all young leaders on the rise: join our exclusive pre-game party at Ballpark Village for music, drinks, appetizers and fun. Then accompany the whole Young Variety team to enjoy that evening’s Cardinals-Reds game — the ticket’s on us, with support from Enterprise and JP Morgan. VIP tickets are $40, General Admission tickets are $10 at the door.

Step up, be a leader!

RUNWAY LIGHTS FASHION SHOW SATURDAY, APRIL 18 UNION STATION “Couture for a Cause” returns with an elegant New York-style runway show from ESCADA at Union Station! ESCADA will spotlight its 2015 Spring & Cruise collection, highlighting its cool glamour, sensual femininity and modern elegance. Variety kids will also show their runway chops by modeling fashions from Carmen Marc Valvo!

The program includes a live auction, high-end vendors and a live performance from the Variety Children’s Chorus! This luxurious environment gives you the chance to see some of the fashion world’s freshest spring looks while helping to raise money for kids with disabilities.

Reserve your seat soon, the front row is already SOLD OUT! Visit varietystl.org to buy your tickets.

FEATURED RAFFLE ITEM: This stunning box-link style bracelet is crafted from 18-karat white gold and studded with 30 diamonds. Generously donated by Simons Jewelers. A $9,000 value.

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HELP A VARIETY KID CHALLENGE TUESDAY, APRIL 21 Attention St. Louis: this is your day to make a difference. Together, we can raise $25,000 to benefit kids with disabilities in one day!

The Help A Variety Kid Challenge is a 24-hour online give-a-thon that allows you to donate whatever you’d like, from $1 up. Visit varietystl.org throughout the day for updates as St. Louis works together toward one big goal! Every dollar raised stays in St. Louis to help children with special needs.

Variety’s media partners at FOX 2, KPLR 11 and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch will help to drum up excitement throughout the day. Thanks to our volunteers from Edward Jones who have also offered to help the entire day.

Text STLKID to 53103 to donate!

IMO’S FOR KIDS DAY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 As if anyone needed another excuse to order an Imo’s Pizza! “The Care Beyond Compare” donates 10 to 20% of its proceeds to Variety on this day. This annual fundraiser has generated more than $1.4 million for Variety kids and satisfied plenty of appetites in the process!

It’s the perfect day to host an office pizza party, family pizza night or grab a personal pizza for yourself!

Once you have your food, send us pictures of how you’re enjoying it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #ImosForKids. Together we can build awareness and create record sales to benefit kids with disabilities!

Host an office party or family pizza night!

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2015 GRAMMY WINNER

DINNER WITH THE STARS SATURDAY, APRIL 25 PEABODY OPERA HOUSE

HER DISTINCTIVE SULTRY VOCAL BLEND OF R&B, POP, JAZZ AND GOSPEL BECAME AN INSTANTANEOUS INTERNATIONAL SENSATION when she released her first solo recording in 1992. Today, with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide and seven Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is recognized as one of the most outstanding voices of this generation.

Braxton’s endlessly expressive voice launched an incredible run of Top 10 singles that included “Another Sad Love Song,” “Breathe Again” and “You’re Makin’ Me High.” But it was the smash hit “Unbreak My Heart” that would become her signature song. Showcasing Braxton’s full vocal and emotional range, the Grammy-winning ballad ranks as the second top-selling single of all time by a female artist.

Teaming with longtime collaborator Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Braxton won her latest Grammy in 2015 for the album Love, Marriage & Divorce.

In addition to her musical recording career, Braxton had successful runs on Broadway starring in Beauty and the Beast and Aida, as well as headlining her own show in Las Vegas. Braxton and her sisters currently appear in the hit reality show Braxton Family Values on WE tv.

Today, Braxton balances the demands of her career with the high priorities of family as she raises her two sons Denim and Diezel, who lives with autism. Braxton’s support and activism on behalf of her younger son led to her becoming a spokesperson for Autism Speaks.

As Diezel continues to progress, Braxton is sharing a message of hope.

“Today, Diezel is talking and attending a mainstream school,” Braxton says. “He still needs occupational therapy, but he is a wonderful example of what can happen with early detection and intervention.”

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW TO BUY A SEAT AT DINNER Visit varietystl.org and click on Dinner with the Stars. Tickets purchased through Variety start at $600 and include a cocktail reception, dinner, program and a performance by Toni Braxton. For more information, contact Alexandra at 314-720-7704, or alexandra@varietystl.org.

TO BUY A PERFORMANCE ONLY TICKET: Visit ticketmaster.com, or call 800-745-3000 to order Peabody Opera House event tickets.

Tickets are $65 each.

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Man & Woman of the Year

Earlier this year, Alison Ferring and Danny Ludeman got to spend time with Variety kids Kimira (upper left), Madison (upper right) and Nathan (below) during an exclusive photo shoot.

The group quickly hit it off — Variety kids have that effect on people.

As 2015 Woman and Man of the Year, Alison and Danny represent the best of what the St. Louis philanthropic community has to offer. Every year, Variety selects two such people whose generosity and leadership have helped to better the entire St. Louis region.

At the Dinner with the Stars gala on April 25, Alison and Danny will receive official recognition for all they’ve done for our city!

ALISON FERRING

DANNY LUDEMAN

This year’s Woman of the Year is an arts supporter and a leading philanthropist in the St. Louis area. Alison Ferring is a 2010 Grand Center Visionary Award winner, a 2003 Woman of Achievement, and serves on numerous boards, including Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis Public Library Foundation, St. Louis Public Library Board, and Sheldon Art Gallery Board. Alison is also on the Sam Fox School National Advisory Board at Washington University.

Danny Ludeman, former president and CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors, provided executive leadership for the nation’s third largest full service brokerage firm.

A founding member of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Alison recently co-chaired the $20 million Campaign for the St. Louis Public Library. Together with her husband John, they are also very involved with Children’s Hospital, COCA, Contemporary Art Museum and Forest Park Forever.

Alison said, “Variety kids possess a talent for joy, their inner strength and determination make them all shining stars in my book.”

Active in industry and civic affairs, he serves or has served, on the boards of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden, The Muny, CityArchRiver 2015, Washington University, University of Richmond, Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Variety – the Children’s Charity.

Ludeman also chaired the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association and was a member of Civic Progress, St. Louis.

Since his retirement, Danny divides his time between his theological studies at Covenant Seminary, where he is pursuing a divinity degree and on the formation of an expanded non-profit to assist individuals in successfully re-integrating into society from prison.

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Variety Week Support MAJOR PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS THE ONES

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WHO CARE

They’re yellow, round and adorably eager to please.

Now the Minions, stars of Despicable Me and their own spinoff movie, are joining Variety’s 2015 Gold Heart Pin campaign! Collectible, heart-shaped pins featuring the Minions are now on sale at all Wehrenberg Theatre locations in the St. Louis area.

Gold Heart Pins cost $3, with proceeds benefitting Variety’s programs to assist children with disabilities.

Our 2014 Gold Heart Pin campaign, featuring Star Wars legends Yoda and Darth Vader, raised $148,444 for Variety. We can’t wait to see how far the Minions carry us this year!

UNITE WITH THE MINIONS to help a child and wear your golden heart with pride.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

PURCHASE AT ANY WEHRENBERG THEATRE TODAY! Add a GOLD HEART PIN for $3 to any food combo 1-5 purchase & receive a FREE select candy: Minions Sour Gummies | Cookie Dough Bites GOLD HEARTS ARE ALSO SOLD SEPARATELY.

CHRISTIAN CAN SHOW HIS TRUE PERSONALITY Christian, age 2, doesn’t speak. But despite cerebral palsy that renders him non-verbal, his bright eyes and laughter convey a vibrant, intelligent personality.

And thanks to equipment and therapy paid for by Variety, Christian continues to develop new ways to express himself.

Christian’s Variety-supported equipment includes a stroller, corner chair and bath chair that allow him to strap in and sit up straight without having to worry about muscle spasms or fatigue.

All of these items have opened up an entire world of activities to help Christian connect with his family and peers. Thanks to that new equipment, for example, Christian got to enjoy a live Sesame Street performance with his family earlier this year.

His twin brother Christopher often pushes him around their day care center while Christian sits in his corner chair.

DO YOU KNOW A CHILD LIKE CHRISTIAN THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM VARIETY’S HELP? CONTACT US AT 314-720-7708 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

“He doesn’t want anyone touching his brother,” their mother Amy says.

Variety also supports equine therapy for Christian, which strengthens his torso, or “trunk.” Amy says therapy like this is a gateway to Christian being able to speak.

“Once we get his trunk under control, we can move on toward getting him walking, even if it’s with braces or other support,” Amy says. “Once he conquers that, the doctors say his speech will start coming in.”

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WEEK LONG FUNDRAISER WITH BIG RESULTS In the span of just one week, the entire community at Visitation Academy rallied to raise more than $12,050 for Variety.

Students, faculty, administrators, parents and alumni all pitched in as part of Spirit Week, an annual celebration at this Catholic girls’ school that culminates in Visitation’s homecoming festivities.

Every year, the school designates a charity to support during the week. Variety was a natural fit: numerous Visitation girls participate in programs like Variety Children’s Theatre and serve as counselors at Variety Adventure Camp. Numerous faculty members and parents also have connections to Variety.

Variety’s Director of Special Events, Julie Probst, poses with a group of girls that attend school at Visitation Academy and headed up their Spirit Week fundraising efforts.

That enthusiasm fueled a fundraising campaign unlike any other. Visitation did it through donations big and small: from bake sales to big checks.

Here at Variety, we’re grateful for Visitation’s generosity!

TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS (August 28, 2014 – February 20, 2015) Tributes and Memorials are a great way to honor a loved one. Whether it’s a gift to provide a lasting remembrance or honoring someone on a special occasion, Variety is privileged to receive such generosity.

HONORARIUMS In Honor of Jan Albus & the Cast & Crew of The Little Mermaid Mr. Steve Zamler In Honor of Adam Becvar Mr. Robert J. Snyder In Honor of Davion Brothers Ms. Donyella Woods In Honor of Sandy Buschmann’s Birthday Mr. Elmer Williams In Honor of the Cast & Crew of “Disney’s the Little Mermaid” Mr. William W. Reichert In Honor of Century Credit Union’s 60th Anniversary Mr. Daryl Figge In Honor of Nicholas Eynon Mr. & Mrs. Richard Nielsen In Honor of Gracie Gibson Mr. Frank A. Albano Walter and Carol Stoll Trust In Honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Joseph Goldman Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Kessler In Honor of Will Grady Mr. Edson Petty

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In Honor of Laura Kuchnicki Mr. Robert Heideman In Honor of Bella Leonard’s Birthday Mr. Brad Verdigets In Honor of Adair Lindenmayer’s Birthday Ms. Sheila Carter Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald In Honor of Barbara & Richard Nielsen Mr. Patrick J. Eynon In Honor of Dianna Pasley & Schnucks Food & Safety & Safety Departments Ms. Betty Kraus In Honor of James Petty Ms. Leonora Welscher In Honor of Nathan & Piper Radoll’s 4th Birthday Ms. Kathryn Radoll In Honor of Dave Steward Mr. & Mrs. Ron Green A Belated Merry Christmas to Dave & Thelma Steward Mr. Alfred Brown In Honor of Thelma Steward’s Birthday Mr. Alfred Brown In Honor of Variety Adventure Camp Ms. Shirle Humphrey

MEMORIALS In Memory of Alice Crews Mrs. Joyce Boeger In Memory of Greg Eveloff Mr. & Mrs. David Klein In Memory of Joe Garcia Mr. William W. Reichert In Memory of Walter Kodelja Ms. Katherine Schwartz Ms. Julie Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Wandersee In Memory of Andrew Marler Mr. & Mrs. John Staples In Memory of William Morff Jane & Tom Akers Bluegrass Oncology Nursing Society Mr. & Mrs. Paul Brauner Bob & Sharon Brauner Dennis & Marilyn Casey Dennis & Maureen Cassani Loretta Claes Cole & Associates Inc. Justa & Darrick Davis Lydia DeWitt David & Elaine DeWitt Mr. John Distler James Easterby Jim & Lori Eggen Thomas & Linda Froehlich Paul & Rosemary Genisio Tim & Jill Glowczwski Ms. Victoria Gurley Carol Hartman Bob & Linda Hatfield David & Susan Heilman

Steve & LaVonne Kaiser Janet J. Kauffman Jerry & Rita Kauffman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kauffman Henrietta Kleffner Lawrence & Sharon Kloud Mr. & Mrs. Larry LaMartina Bill & Judy Landwehr Charles & Debra Lang Ms. Marianne Laumann Richard & Monica Luebbering Manchester Eye Care Marilyn A. Meininger Midwest Independent Bank Mike Milosovich Valli & Keith Mueller William & Jeanette Muller Mike and Brenda Operle Mr. Charles Payne Joseph and Joan Perez EJ and Millie Saunders Marilyn Schmidt Tim and Laura Simpson St. Louis Bank Philip and Mary Jane Streitz Mark and SharenTaylor Stacy and Judy Zimmerman In Memory of Charlotte E. Nonn Ms. Charline Burns Ms. Dawn Hamm Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Werner Ms. Janet Werner In Memory of Donna Vorhies Mr. Patrick Arnall & Ms. Tommye Fleming Mr. & Mrs. Larry Iwema Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Larry McGinnis Ms. Melanie Miller Rybo Properties General Business

DRIVES TO INDEPENDENCE

SOFIA

Learning to drive a power wheelchair is kind of like learning how to drive a car.

But imagine a 5-year-old behind the wheel instead of a teenager!

One of the first times Variety kid Sofia took her bright pink power chair out for a test drive, she accidentally rammed into a wine display at a local grocery store. A whole case of wine spilled everywhere.

Thankfully, Sofia’s mom Megan says the manager was more concerned about Sofia’s wellbeing than the spilled drinks.

Little “oops” moments like that were to be expected as Sofia got accustomed to her new ride. But Megan’s bigger concern was whether a power wheelchair would become too much of a crutch for her daughter.

That fear dissipated when she saw Sofia using the wheelchair on the playground.

“It was the first time she didn’t need me to help her in getting around with her friends,” Megan says. “For the first time, she could do what she wanted to do.”

Variety took care of another stressor by helping to pay for the wheelchair as part of its Kids on the Go Mobility Program.

Now that she’s gotten several months of practice in, Sofia will show off her power wheelchair at the Runway Lights Fashion Show, April 18 at Union Station. As one of our Ameren PowerKids, she’ll take to the runway wearing a custom-made dress to show that Variety kids have supermodel skills too!

AUDITION CALL

DO YOU KNOW A CHILD LIKE SOFIA THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM VARIETY’S HELP? CONTACT US AT 314-720-7708 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Cast

Interns

Auditions for Mary Poppins are May 9 at the Old Orchard Center (for Equity actors) and May 16 at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts (for everyone else—including kids). Be prepared to sing and dance! If you’re an adult, you’ll need to make an audition appointment by calling Patty at 314-720-7702. See full details at varietystl.org.

We’re also recruiting teen production interns for Mary Poppins! Help produce a world-class musical by interning in fields like directing, stage management, lighting, sound, costumes and more! You’ll be working with some of the top theatre professionals in St. Louis, gaining valuable experience and having an amazing time! Contact Barb at 314-720-7709 or barb@varietystl.org to schedule an interview!

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Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis 2200 Westport Plaza Drive Suite 306 St. Louis, MO 63146

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IN THIS ISSUE Variety’s Man & Woman of the Year

Variety Week Events April 17-25, 2015 | Tickets on sale NOW Page 6

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Meet Christian

AUDITION CALL FOR

GOLD HEART PINS Page 8

Phone: (314) 720-7700 • www.varietystl.org

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