Spotlight Spring 2016

VARIETY

WEEK 2016 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Variety Week 2016 Schedule.................... Page 2-5 Man & Woman of the Year............................Page 6 2016 Gold Heart Pins....................................Page 8 Variety Children’s Theatre Auditions........Page 10

From our

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Variety supporters, This year, Variety celebrates its golden anniversary Dinner with the Stars. A milestone representing 50 years of raising funds to help kids with special needs reach their full potential.

One thing that occurs to me as I think about 50 years is that there are many people alive today who’ve reached their full potential thanks to Variety, and those who support it. These people were Variety kids once, now living lives that would’ve been unimaginable without this organization.

Then there are all the kids we’re helping right now, right in the midst of this 50th anniversary celebration.

More than 9,500 in all. Kids who are gaining ever more independence thanks to the medical equipment and therapy programs we make possible. Kids who are gaining self-confidence through their participation in the Variety Children’s Chorus and Variety Children’s Theatre. Kids who are pushing past barriers, and pulling new friends into their orbit, through the many activities of Variety Adventure Camp. All of these kids are on their way to reaching their full potential. And that’s a thrill to behold.

And then there are all the kids who Variety doesn’t know, who don’t know us. Yet. In a world where cerebral palsy and autism and spina bifida are too prevalent, and where fate can change the course of a young life in a nanosecond, what Variety does will still need doing; what Variety means will still have meaning.

But just as nothing is promised to any individual on this earth, nothing is promised to an organization like Variety. Its continued existence, and ability to help kids with special needs, depends on new supporters believing in, and supporting, our mission. If you have not done so in the past, I invite you to become a vital part of Variety’s future. To paraphrase that oft-repeated saying, “Those of us leading Variety today do not inherit it from those who went before, we’re only borrowing it from those still to come.”

Whatever you can do to help ensure Variety is around for another 50, 100, 200 years, just may be the greatest gift Variety gets on this 50th anniversary of Dinner with the Stars.

Sincerely,

Brian Roy Interim Executive Officer

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VARIETY WEEK A VARIETY OF WAYS TO HELP A VARIETY OF KIDS

NIGHT OF THE RISING STARS THREE SIXTY ROOFTOP BAR JOIN THE MOVEMENT

RUNWAY LIGHTS FASHION SHOW UNION STATION SEE THE SHOW

HELP A VARIETY KID CHALLENGE ONLINE AND PHONE-IN DONATIONS GIVE US A CALL

IMO’S FOR KIDS DAY ALL IMO’S LOCATIONS ORDER A PIZZA

LIONEL RICHIE

DINNER WITH THE STARS PEABODY OPERA HOUSE SING “ALL NIGHT LONG”

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NIGHT OF THE RISING STARS

HELP WANTED: YOUNG, DEDICATED LEADERS. Enjoy drinks and appetizers while learning about Variety and its young professionals group, Young Variety. Be part of a movement in the making. For tickets call Julie at 314-720-7717 or visit varietystl.org.

Thursday April 7th, 6-8pm Three Sixty Rooftop Bar Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Tickets: $50

RUNWAY LIGHTS FASHION SHOW JOIN OUR COUTURE FOR A CAUSE.

As always, a jam-packed Variety Week features the dazzling Runway Lights Fashion Show.

This year’s show is April 9th at Union Station and features the amazing designs of Carmen Marc Valvo. Not only is Carmen showing his 2016 Spring/Summer collection, he’s designing the dresses our Variety kids will be wearing, and he’s bringing along seven fabulous dresses he’s designed for celebrities like Vanessa Williams, Katie Couric, Queen Latifah, and Beyoncé.

On top of all that, Carmen is attending this year’s show, making what is St. Louis’ only New York-style fashion show that much more prestigious.

Again this year, the task of melding fashion’s glamour with Variety’s mission is elegantly handled by honorary chair Thelma Steward, who hopes to see you all for a fantastic and fabulous afternoon.

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HELP A VARIETY KID CHALLENGE IT’S THE ONE DAY TO USE YOUR SMARTPHONE TO ACTUALLY MAKE A CALL. On Tuesday of Variety Week, we ask the community to answer the Help a Variety Kid Challenge. During this 24-hour give-a-thon, you can make a donation by visiting helpavarietykid.org or by calling the phone bank set up at Fox 2, and manned by volunteers from Edward Jones, and some of our Variety kids.

Besides Fox 2 and KPLR 11, our other media partner, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, will help drum up excitement throughout the day as we try to raise as much money as possible for kids with special needs. And every dollar raised, on this day, and every day, is put to work here in the St. Louis area.

Hope you’ll be part of another successful Help a Variety Kid Challenge.

THE ONES

WHO CARE

IMO’S FOR KIDS DAY BEST DAY FOR A PIZZA PARTY. OR TWO. OR THREE.

On Wednesday of Variety Week, Imo’s Pizza helps us raise a lot of dough for kids with special needs. On that day, Imo’s donates 10-20% of that day’s sales to Variety.

That makes April 13th the perfect day to have an office pizza party, a pizza birthday party, or a family pizza night. It’s also the perfect day to finally see how many Imo’s pizzas, or sandwiches, or provel bites, or salads, or anything else on the menu, you can eat in one sitting.

Through the years, this fundraiser has generated more than $1.4 million for Variety kids, and we’re looking for a big day again this year. So join us when “The Square Beyond Compare” becomes “The Care Beyond Compare.”

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JOIN US AS WE PUT THE “FUN” & “SING” IN FUNDRAISING. Four-time Grammy winner Lionel Richie has done it all in his nearly halfcentury career.

In the mid-to-late 70s, he fronted the Commodores as they become one of the most successful pop/soul acts in music, with seven top ten hits in America, including two number ones, all written, or co-written, by Mr. Richie.

In the 80s, he did it all again as a solo artist, racking up 13 top ten hits, including five number ones. His number one duet with Diana Ross, Endless Love, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1982, and Say You, Say Me won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1986. The charity single he co-wrote with Michael Jackson, We Are the World, hit number one in 16 countries, and has raised more than $130 million for humanitarian causes since its 1985 release.

In 2012, Mr. Richie released Tuskegee, an album of his songs sung in duet with country artists, returned to the top of the album chart, and pushed past 100 million total records sold, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.

With his place in musical history secure, Mr. Richie continues to add to his list of awards; just this year, he was honored as the MusiCares person of the year at the Grammys.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW TO BUY A SEAT AT THE BLACK TIE DINNER Visit varietystl.org and click on Dinner with the Stars.

Tickets purchased through Variety start at $1,000 and include a cocktail reception, dinner, program and a performance by Lionel Richie. For more information, contact Wes at 314-720-7710, or wes@varietystl.org.

TO BUY A PERFORMANCE ONLY TICKET: Visit ticketmaster.com, or call 800-745-3000 to order. Tickets are $65 each.

UNDERWRITTEN BY:

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Man & Woman of the Year Variety has announced its Man and Woman of the Year for 2016. These deserving individuals will be recognized during the 50th anniversary Dinner with the Stars gala on Saturday, April 16.

KEN KRANZBERG

With Variety child Mireya

JUDY JONES With Variety child Isaiah

The Man of the Year is TricorBraun chairman and philanthropist Ken Kranzberg. Active in industry and civic affairs, and serving on the boards of many local institutions, Ken is most proud of his efforts to revitalize both Grand Center and Old North.

The Woman of the Year is community philanthropist Judy Jones. Judy was the lead contributor to the Zoo’s new polar bear home, and she and her husband were major contributors to the Dennis and Judith Jones Variety Wonderland inclusive playground in Forest Park.

We congratulate both Ken and Judy on this honor, which, through the years, has gone to a veritable Who’s Who of St. Louis.

With Variety child Colin

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Variety Week Support VARIETY CLUB PARTNERS

David & Thelma

Steward

MAJOR PARTNERS

Lichenstein Foundation

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Ambassador & Mrs. Sam Fox

MEDIA PARTNERS

THE ONES

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WHO CARE

As this issue of Spotlight hits your mailbox, our annual Gold Heart Pin promotion is in full swing.

If you haven’t already, you’ve got till March 31st to visit any Wehrenberg Theatre and get one, or more, of this year’s Gold Heart Pins. This year’s pin features the Mockingjay logo from The Hunger Games, and is just $3 each, with all the proceeds going, as usual, to help kids with special needs.

With your help, this year’s pin sales will be another box office smash.

PURCHASE AT ANY WEHRENBERG THEATRE TODAY!

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ZACK NOW? Last time we highlighted Zack in the pages of Spotlight, he was heading off to Chicago to study sound design.

As this issue of Spotlight thunders (seems an appropriately sound design-ish word) into your mailbox, Zack finds himself in Salt Lake City, the recipient of a scholarship to attend the United States Institute of Theater Technology.

In the letter he sent us announcing his news, Zack said “had it not been for Variety Children’s Theatre” he never would’ve met the people who ended up nominating him for this chance to build on the experience he first received as a sound crew intern for Variety Children’s Theatre.

Last year, in fact, Zack had a paying position as sound effects operator on Mary Poppins. Hopefully, he’ll bring what he learns in Utah back to help us make this year’s production another rousing success. Because to us, nothing would sound better.

For information on the VCT intern program, please contact Barb Kramer at 720-7709 or barb@varietystl.org.

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As part of the grand opening festivities for their new Plaza Frontenac location last December, Kendra Scott held a fundraiser for Variety kids that raised $1,576.

Not only did the store sparkle with the wonderful collection of jewelry on offer, but with the beaming smiles of three of our Variety kids, who each got to make and keep a bracelet of their very own. They also got to meet the reigning Miss Missouri.

All in all, Madi, Makenzie, and Lenore had a wonderful time in the Scott-light. And Variety began what we hope will be a long and fruitful partnership with Kendra Scott.

TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS (8/14/2015 - 2/8/2016)

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 John and Mary Kaye Fort Family Fund In Honor of David, Thelma, David Jr., Mary, Trey, and Kim Steward Mr. Alfred Brown In Honor of Dave and Thelma Steward for Mother’s and Father’s Day Ms. Fetauaiga Faye Walker In Honor of Dave and Thelma Steward for Christmas Ms. Fetauaiga Faye Walker In Honor of Dave and Thelma Steward Mrs. Carol Wall and Mr. Rob Ciampoli In Honor of Sandra Buschmann’s Birthday Mr. Elmer Williams In Honor of the cast and crew of ‘The Full Monty’ R. G. Acting Co. In Honor of the cast and crew of ‘Mary Poppins’ R. G. Acting Co. In Honor of Lily and Grace Crockett Mr. and Mrs. Fetzer E. Crockett III In Honor of Dave Steward’s Birthday Mr. Alfred Brown Ms. Fetauaiga Faye Walker Ms. Tanisha Ward In Honor of Mary Desmond Mr. and Mrs. Vern Schmitz

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In Honor of Olivia Eaker Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goerss In Honor of the wedding of Anita and Terry Fox Mr. and Mrs. Jon Gehbauer In Honor of Sam and Marilyn Fox Ms. Chelle Kearns In Honor of Marilyn Fox Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Yaeger In Honor of Morgan Fritz and in memory of Edwin Davis Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Bauer Mrs. Mary Lou Davis

In Honor of the grandson of William J. Petty Ms. Leonora Welsher In Honor of Adrienne Outlaw Piston’s birthday Ms. Lisa Mingrone In Honor of Rick Podhorn Conner Ash PC In Honor of Mel and Judy Roche Ms. Jill Anderson In Honor of Ryan Schulte Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Ryan

In Honor of Zachary Giambalvo Ms. Lynetta Uhls

In Honor of Katie Stalter Ms. Sarah Stalter

In Honor of Gracie Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Albano

In Honor of Thelma Steward’s birthday Mr. Alfred Brown Mr. Gene Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Ron Green Mr. and Mrs. Daron Greene Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kranzberg Ms. Karen Martin Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Pepper Psychological Associates Inc. Ms. Fetauaiga Faye Walker Ms. Jackie Williams Ms. Dorothy L. Willis Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Yaeger

In Honor of Will Grady Mr. James Petty In Honor of DeeDee Haynh Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lehrer In Honor of Barb Kramer Mrs. Marci Mayer Eisen and Mr. Rick Eisen In Honor of Adair Lindenmayer Mr. and Mrs. John Rabenau In Honor of Dominic Newton Mrs. Deborah W. Newton In Honor of all my dear parents Mr. John L. Rose In Honor of Frank O. Pinion of KTRS Radio Ms. Susan Wright

In Honor of Janice Zelasko Mr. Mark Zelasko

MEMORIALS In Memory of Alyce Buck Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Kramer In Memory of Richard P. Conerly The Conerly Family Foundation

In Memory of Edwin Joseph Davis Ms. Paula Brud-Brown Mr. Eugene Castellitto Ms. Cherie L. Hill Mr. James Lueders Mr. Stephen L. Ramser In Memory of Ann Marie Feld’s Father Ms. Keri Hill In Memory of Joseph Goldman Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Bloomberg In Memory of Patrick Haney Moog Reunion Committee In Memory of Lee Hirsch Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Kramer In Memory of Tom Krakover Mr. and Mrs. Roger M. Berent In Memory of Ron Krueger Screenvision In Memory of Christina Miller National Charity League Gateway Chapter In Memory of William Morff Ms. Kristina A. Wilson-Kayrouz In Memory of Rachel Pearline Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Kramer In Memory of James Stamper Mr. and Mrs. Carl Toon In Memory of Clarence Wiskamp Mr. and Mrs. John E. Oeltjen Ms. Heather Sundar

Some of the most beautiful homework you’ll ever hear Variety kid Meaghan, a student at Kirkwood High School, had a marketing class assignment to write a one minute commercial about an organization she’s passionate about. We can happily report she chose Variety.

Meaghan said the words reflect “what I feel I can do” when I’m with Variety, and are a thank you to everyone whose support of Variety has made a difference in her life.

She happened to show her commercial copy to Variety Chorus Director Greg Schweizer, who told her if she came up with some more words, she’d have a very nice song. So Meaghan added more words, Greg added a melody, and the entire chorus learned the song and debuted it at the recent Dinner with the Stars kickoff at Bellerive Country Club. In introducing the song, I Can, that night, Greg said the chorus just may have found its theme song.

Variety Children’s Theatre

TIME TO AUDITION

Everyone’s dying to know the name of this year’s Variety Children’s Theatre production. And we’re dying to tell you.

But we can’t till late April. What we can say now is:

It’s another wonderful musical!

It’s another Disney classic!

It has a cast of at least 75!

It’s not 12 Angry Men! Title announced April 26. Auditions begin May 7.

Learn more by visiting VarietyChildrensTheatre.org.

Also, follow Variety on FB and Twitter.

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

POSTMASTER: Return Address Service Requested

It’s one week. It’s some week. IT’S VARIETY WEEK. April 7-16, 2016 | Mark your calendar to help Variety Kids!

Night of the Rising Stars: Page 3

Runway Lights Fashion Show: Page 3

Help a Variety Kid Challenge: Page 4

Imo’s for Kids Day: Page 4

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

Dinner with the Stars: Page 5