PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY!
October 25-27
WWW.TOUHILL.ORG
Spotl ght A publication of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis
Fall 2013 Issue Believe, Achieve, Inspire MISSION: To help local children with disabilities reach their full potential by providing services every time they need assistance.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Calendar of Events
Page 1
Peter Pan tickets are on sale
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Champions for Children’s Summit
Page 3
Ameren Power to 50 Campaign
Page 5
Chief Executive Officer Jan Albus Friends and Fans of Variety, In Peter Pan, flight was within the grasp of those who possessed a happy thought. Happiness has the transforming power to free us from the pains and burdens of life. Variety Children’s Theatre’s performance of the boy-who-won’t-grow-up is the essence of that power. Performing on stage is an opportunity for those who desire that power. It’s reachable.
I once thought that quality live theatre including our Variety Kids was a trip to Never-Never Land, but St. Louis has confirmed yet again to be ready for new types of theatre and inclusion. Our community partners from US Bank and Wells Fargo Advisors to Director Lara Teeter open their hearts and hands to raise the curtain and let us return to precious childhood.
My happy thoughts travel to those who help us fulfill our mission, from our Star Lighters and Patrons who fund our theatre, to Ridley Pearson, author of Peter and the Star Catcher, who gleefully volunteers his time and that of his family. We are thankful for all of you who buy a ticket or ‘like’ us on Facebook, and help us support our Variety families.
Make sure to check out our Crowing Campaign on all your favorite social media channels. And be a part of the Variety family—send in your best Crowing and remember that you too can fly.
CALENDAR
Jan Albus, Chief Executive Officer
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OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER J A N U A RY FEBRUARY
25-27
Variety Children’s Theatre Production of Peter Pan TICKETS NOW ON SALE
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Champions for Children Summit
26-27
Winter Adventure Camp
TBD
Partner Agency Workshop
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Young Variety Trivia Night
Bikes for Kids
Variety Children’s Theatre presents OCTOBER
25-27
Touhill Performing Arts Center
As in years past, Variety Children’s Theatre will stage its production with a cast of professional actors, children of all abilities, a live orchestra with 21 musicians, glorious sets and brilliant costumes. This year’s production taking place October 25-27 at the Touhill is “Peter Pan,” the story of the boy who “won’t grow up.” This enchanted classic takes you on a carefree ride through childhood. It’s a tale of discovery – Wendy and Peter learn about who they are and what happy thoughts can allow them to do. The story is similar for the cast, crew and audience of the Variety Children’s Theatre production of Peter Pan including one particular cast member and Variety child, Selah! Selah is no stranger to the spotlight, starring in many of Variety’s film projects and singing her heart out in the Variety Children’s Chorus. However, Peter Pan will be Selah’s debut on the Variety Children’s Theatre stage and she simply can’t wait for opening night! Just like Peter Pan, Selah is all about happy thoughts, smiles, and just being a kid! Her infectious personality and natural knack for entertaining truly embody what Peter Pan is all about – proving that when the curtain drops, there’s no doubt that everyone is capable of flying. So join us at the Touhill in October and keep an eye out for Selah on stage! You can purchase your tickets at www.Touhill.org or by calling 314-516-4949.
With Support From
Ridley Pearson is a New York Times best-selling author with nearly 30 adult suspense novels, including his prequel to the beloved Broadway Classic, “Peter Pan,” entitled “Peter and the Star Catcher.” Lucky for us, Ridley has decided to be involved with this year’s Variety Children’s Theatre production. He has even invited us into his St. Louis home to feast on a Peter Pan themed luncheon with his two daughters who know a thing or two about Variety kids as they are both counselors at our Adventure Camp!
Can you guess where we found these Peter Pan hats? Peter Pan is taking over St. Louis and it’s time for YOU to join the fun! Download our Peter Pan hat and see our “crow” video at www.varietychildrenstheatre.org. Then send your own hat photo and crow video to info@varietyst.org and post on your social media channels as well. Show us YOUR Peter Pan! 2
CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN SUMMIT November 12, 2013 • The Chase Park Plaza
Information • Allocation • Celebration
The Champions for Children Summit is a two-part educational and celebratory event for area nonprofits and Variety donors. With a variety of speakers on topics such as board relations and social media tactics, families, agencies, and educators will all walk away inspired to improve our community’s resources for special needs.
Ken Page
Champion for Children
Ken Page got his start at the Muny and went to New York, where he created the role of Old Deuteronomy in “Cats.” Always aware of the potential and power of our youth, Ken is back in St. Louis and ready to serve as a mentor and a champion for our youth – earning him the title of Variety’s 2013 Champion for Children.
Supporting Sponsor
This year Dr. Rick Rader, Director of the Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center at Orange Grove in Chattanooga TN, will serve as the Keynote speaker. As Editor-in-Chief of Exceptional Parent Magazine he is sure to bring exceptional knowledge to all of the summit’s attendees. PRESENTATIONS Keynote Speaker 8:30-9:30
Rick Radar, Editor and Chief of Exceptional Parent Magazine Director of Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center in Chattanooga TN
Breakout Sessions 9:45-10:45
Jerry Bruder, Motivational Speaker Marci Mayer Eisen, Director of the Millstone Institute Chris Reimer, Vice President of Social Media at Falk Harrison Gerald Gardner, Private Practice Attorney Variety Parent Panel – Shelley Smith, moderator
Networking Sessions 11:00-11:45
Choose one of four network sessions covering a wide range of topics
Luncheon & Award Ceremony Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Corporate partners, individual contributers, partner agencies as well as this year’s Champion for Children will be honored.
TAX CREDITS AVAILABLE TO ADVENTURE CAMP SUPPORTERS Any Missouri taxpayer who donates to Variety’s Adventure Camp between now and March 31, 2015 may receive tax credits under Missouri’s Youth Opportunity Program (YOP). A tax credit is a reduction of the taxes you owe the state of Missouri. Tax credits may be for the tax year in which the donation was made, or carried forward for five succeeding tax periods.
Tax Credits Donors may contribute a minimum of $1,000 up to $25,000 (cash, stocks/ bonds) per calendar year while credits remain. A taxpayer may receive up to 50% in Missouri state tax credits. Any entity or individual who pays Missouri income tax and files a Schedule A for itemized deductions may receive a tax credit. This includes: Individuals, Partnerships, Corporations, LLCs and S Corps. HOW IT WORKS
Individual Gift (tax payer in 36% bracket) Federal Deduction Missouri Tax Deduction YOP Credit (50% of gift) Reduced state tax deduction on federal return (*) Out-of-Pocket Cost to Donor
$1,000 $10,000 ($360) ($3,600) ($60) ($600) ($500) ($5,000) $180 $1,800 $260 $2,600
*Represents 36% of the $500 YOP tax credit. Your deduction for state taxes on your federal return is reduced by $500 because your state tax payment is being reduced by $500.
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What is Adventure Camp? Open to children ages 4-16 with physical and intellectuall disabilities, Variety Adventure Camp includes a two-day session in the winter and four week-long sessions in the summer. Specially trained counselors and medical professionals are on-site each day, as Variety places great emphasis on safety, proper equipment fit and expert instruction, all adjusted for each camper’s ability level. To support Variety Adventure Camp and receive YOP tax credits, please contact Linda Sanders at 314-720-7712, or linda@varietystl.org for additional information regarding YOP credits.
Ther–Happy Triumphs If the famous quote, “We are our choices” is true, many would say that Erin and her husband are admirable, brave and exceptionally caring. According to Erin, “the choice to adopt children with special needs just made sense. My degree is in special education, so we just knew it was something that we would do.” Although the couple already has biological sons, ages 11 and 14, they made one more addition to the family in 2010. They brought home Oksana from Ukraine. Now eight, Oksana has cerebral palsy, microcephaly and is on the autism spectrum. When this loving family brought her home, she was at the level of a toddler so her therapies through school were simply not enough. “We found that school therapies focused on school and what we really needed with Oksana was therapy to help her with community and home skills. Before we adopted her she was confined to a bed for five years – so she needed help with simple things like stability and feeding.” This is where Variety’s new program, Ther-Happy Kids, came into play. Ther-Happy Kids ensures that children with disabilities not only have the medical equipment they need, but the therapy to support them while they use it. Variety picks up the co-pays – or even the bills, when insurance money runs out. Through this program, Oksana has been going to four hours of therapy each week at a Variety agency. Both of her kinds of therapy, physical and occupational, have been a great help. “Oksana is increasing her stability and learning to manipulate her environment,” says Erin. This family focuses on the little day-to-day triumphs for Oksana, each of which is accomplished because of the help she received through therapy. “This week she held a fork while eating and I couldn’t have been happier,” said Erin. We are so happy that Oksana’s steady progress is making life a little easier for her each and every day. Variety Ther-Happy Kids Program Founding Partner
According to a study published in the journal “Physiotherapy Canada”, exercise-based physical therapy can be highly beneficial for children with autism.
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To date, St. Louis children are benefiting from Variety’s Ther-Happy Kids program.
Special needs children who begin receiving regular occupational therapy services from an early age onward will have the best chance of developing skills that are needed for a productive adulthood.
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anthony awaits the joy of speed Every year, Variety gives therapeutic bikes to children in our community. For some, this bike means independence – a chance for adventure and exploration. For others, it is truly the best form of therapy – building strength and endurance. And yet, for some, this bike means having something that is truly their own. For this reason, the process of Bikes for Kids begins long before the actual event – ensuring that the customization is perfect and unique for each child’s needs. Anthony, a new Variety child is the perfect example of the personalized process involved in getting a therapeutic bike for a Variety child. Anthony rolled into our September bike fitting with determination and one thing on his mind, getting himself into an orange bike as soon as possible. The four-year-old eagerly climbed into a style picked out by Hal Honeymoon of Creative Mobility where the size of the bike, the height of the foot pedals, the distance of his arm pedals, and the size of his helmet were measured. Anthony, paralyzed from the waist down used this hand-controlled bike to make his way around the gym, perfecting sharp turns and impressing his mother. Hal made notes as he watched Anthony ride and finished up the order for the bike Anthony will finally receive on November 23. “I can’t wait for Anthony to receive his bike at Bikes for Kids,” said Anthony’s mother. “He has such a great attitude and strong spirit but he needs the sense of normalcy that he will receive riding his bike around with his sister.”
Thanks to the Ameren PowerKids program, 48 life-changing power wheelchairs have already been provided over the past decade to children with disabilities in the St. Louis metro area. Ameren PowerKids is a 10-year partnership between Ameren and Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis.
Tom Voss with Ameren PowerKid Sarah.
According to Tom Voss, Ameren Chairman, President and CEO, “For 10 years we’ve been helping children overcome physical challenges by providing power wheelchairs. Imagine what it means for these kids to have the added agility these chairs provide. It makes a dramatic difference in how they experience life.” To a Variety child, a power wheelchair does not simply mean transportation. It means achieving
Pa s t 10 yea rs = 48 Po we r Wh e e lch a i rs
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independence, attending senior prom, or even talking at eye-level with friends. Essentially, power wheelchairs mean that Variety kids get to truly be kids. For this reason, Ameren decided to raise the bar this year, creating a campaign that would increase the company’s already generous donation of 48 power wheelchairs to a monumental level – 50 power wheelchairs! The goal of the “Power to 50” campaign, running from June 19, 2013 to October 1, 2013, has been to raise $30,000 (the cost of two power wheelchairs) through donations by Ameren employees. The Ameren Power to 50 campaign has already raised $17,911 toward their goal, proving that Ameren is a generous partner willing to “power up” to make a difference!
Th is yea r = $30, 000 = 2 Power Wheel cha irs =The B ig 50 !
Encore Society spotlight Variety’s Encore Society is an opportunity for donors to leave a legacy by continuing their giving efforts even after they are no longer with us. This can be done by including Variety in a will or trust; naming Variety as a beneficiary of an IRA or life insurance; or establishing a charitable reminder or lead trust to benefit Variety. Members of our Encore Society may choose to take this step for a number of reasons but as put very simply by Encore Society member, Cliff Eason, “Variety needs to live forever and its support needs to match that. Our support doesn’t stop after we are no longer here.” Cliff and his wife Linda, have been involved with variety since 1993 after attending Dinner with the Stars. They have been involved with Variety for 25 years, including Cliff ’s period as board president in 1995. Variety Board Member Cliff Eason with his wife Linda at Variety’s Dinner with the Stars gala
According to Cliff, “Variety has been a part of our lives for years and we have seen the quality and the importance of what they do. For this reason, we already give on an annual basis but we wanted this support to continue beyond our physical presence.”
Tributes and Memorials (May 15, 2013 – September 5, 2013) In honor of Lynn & Bob Barth Barbara and Richard Kramer In honor of Maggie Charity Edda and Walter Reviol Bernice H. Meyer Robert J. Charity Lee and Kristin Sobotka Families With Children From China Jane Miller Laurie Lecours Gloria Luber In honor of the birthday of a deserving child Peggy and Jerry Ritter
In memory of Verna Delashmit Grace E. Throm Rodney Litton Pamela and Edgar Barnal Joseph L. Samuelson Wilma Riess Marva L. Griffith Judith Moore William W. Sprich Linda and Kenneth Simpson Charlotte Hodges In memory of Jessie Hatcher Derwin Johnson
A Contribution has been made... Josie & Emma
In memory of Ed Hirsch Barbara and Richard Kramer
In honor of Marilyn Fox Meryl and Robert Widman Estelle and Avery Seidel
In memory of Norma C. “Pat” Koenen Judith and Barry Johnson Judy Keim
In honor of Cindy and Rick Gelber Constance Lohr
In memory of Corinn Peterson Lillian Peterson
In honor of Emory Krenn Margaret Shannon
In memory of Michael Roarty Constance Lohr
In honor of Jeff Lapious Roman T. Kulich
In memory of Leland Smith Barbara and Richard Kramer
In honor of Dave Steward Patricia and Jeffrey Carr
In memory of Beatrice Tourin The Roy Family
Christian
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Have someone you would like to honor? Visit our website at www.varietystl.org to make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one. We’ll send them a card, just like this one to let them know of your thoughtfulness.
In memory of Frances Byrnes Barbara L. Mannes
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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
Root for Selah Page 2
Variety Children’s Theatre presents
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Page 2
Celebrities
IN THIS ISSUE showing us their love
Ridley Pearson
Ken Page
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Page 3
Page 4
YOP tax credits available to Variety Adventure Camp supporters Page 3
Meet Oksana
www.varietystl.org
facebook.com/varietystl
twitter.com/varietystl
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youtube.com/varietystl
Commend Cliff
Helping us Give two more power wheelchairs.
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