Summer spotlight 2013

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

Summer 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: Variety Gold Heart Award Dinner with the Stars Runway Lights Fashion Show

Page 2 Page 4-7 Page 8-10

Call-A-Thon for Kids

Page 11

Imo’s for Kids Day

Page 11

Night of the Rising Stars

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Chief Executive Officer Jan Albus

Friends and Fans of Variety, “The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart.” — Carlos Santana This famous quote, not only describes the kindness but also the dedication and commitment of every person involved with Variety Week this year. From our generous donors, to our volunteers, to our Variety families - it seemed as if this was the year when everyone truly came together to make Variety Week a success – including Carlos Santana, himself! Anyone present at this year’s Dinner with the Stars would have to agree that Santana rocked the Peabody Opera House with the generous gift of his performance. The Variety Children’s Chorus was dressed to impress in their Latin-themed ensembles. Joe Buck was an extraordinary emcee, and kept the audience entertained. The new generation of Variety supporters, Young Variety, came out in full force to show their support at Night of the Rising Stars at City Cottage on April 26. With the largest Young Variety silent auction yet, Clear Channel Radio emcee, Sherry Farmer, and awesome entertainment by the Soulard Blues Band – everyone had a great time! Once again, Margie and Ed Imo donated up to 20% of all Imo’s proceeds to Variety on Imo’s for Kids Day on April 24. Imo’s Pizzas all over the St. Louis region were bustling with Variety supporters and we couldn’t be more grateful for their generosity!

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Another successful event this week was our annual FOX2 and KPLR 11 Call-A-Thon – bringing in a whopping $4,520 this year! Our favorite moments were with Variety kids, from Sam living his dream and announcing the weather in front of the green screen, to Adam spending time with his all time favorite anchor, Melanie Moon, we are counting this Call-A-Thon as a success! And lastly, who can forget this year’s Runway Lights Fashion Show? Edward Wilkerson of Lafayette 148 New York and his wonderful team showcased some beautiful fashions on the runway at The Chase Park Plaza. Where one very important part of the Fashion Show, Ther-Happy Kids, raised over $21,000 to help Variety Kids with much needed therapy. Variety child Hannah debuted her very own line of designer hospital gowns with some help from Mandy Murphy! It is clear that Variety’s team of supporters are one in a million and truly showed their open hearts throughout Variety Week. We raised over $4.7 million to help Variety children reach their full potential. We thank you all!

Jan Albus Chief Executive Officer


Our Hearts are Full Variety received the 2013 International Gold Heart Award

Thank you for helping your hometown chapter of Variety the Children’s Charity win the 2013 International Gold Heart Award. Variety International has awarded St. Louis Variety with the highest award, the Gold Heart. At the 86th Annual Variety International World Conference held in Las Vegas, the 41 tents (term used for individual agencies) from 11 countries met and shared their vision and plans to help children with disabilities. Since forming in 1928, Variety chapters around the world have raised more than $1.8 billion for 45 million kids with disabilities. The criteria for the Gold Heart Award include: programs, innovation, financial stability and growth. St. Louis competed with nine other chapters who were finalists: Los Angeles, New York, Israel, Queensland, Iowa, Western Australia, British Columbia, New South Wales, and Southern Australia. Variety St. Louis has raised more than $92 million in 81 years, and helped more than 1.2 million local children with disabilities reach their potential. Last year, Variety helped 14,500 kids in 547 zip codes in the bi-state region. Variety’s growth in 2012 was 83%, raising a record breaking $4,669,240. Our efficiency was also high, meaning that 85 cents from each dollar raised goes to Variety Children. Thanks to our very generous partners, we launched our first endowment campaign to support Variety Adventure Camp. This now $1.125 million endowment will further our mission and add to our sustainability. Now the world knows St. Louis’ giving heart. Thank you.

Did You Know? The International Heart Awards have three categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Since 1984, Variety St. Louis has won the Silver Heart Award three times and the Bronze Heart Award three times.

Variety’s Chief Operating Officer Brian Roy, Jan Albus and Program Director Barb Kramer proudly pose with the Variety International Gold Heart Award.

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THANK YOU, ST. LOUIS

Runway Lights Fashion Show

Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis extends its thanks to the entire community for its generosity to help local children with disabilities say, “I CAN!”

TOTAL RAISED*

$4,741,000 VARIETY CLUB PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNERS

FOX 2/KPLR 11 Call-A-Thon for Kids

Imo’s for Kids Day

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Night of the Rising Stars MEDIA PARTNERS THE ONES

WHO CARE

Revenue generated from June 1, 2012 - April 30, 2013

Dinner with the Stars


Santana takes the stage at the Peabody and WOWS the crowd of more than 2,000.

PEABODY OPERA HOUSE April 27, 2013 with

and Hosted by Joe Buck

The Dinner With the Stars black-tie gala raised almost $2 million and, for the second year in a row, was underwritten by Centene Corporation, World Wide Technology and the Steward Family Foundation. This ensured that all money raised went directly to Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis to serve children in our community. Joe Buck hosted the program, which honored Noémi Neidorff as Woman of the Year and Jim Weddle as Man of the Year and David Steward with the Humanitarian Award during Santana’s performance. The night included a performance by the Variety Children’s Chorus, a Special Equipment Appeal facilitated by Jim Byrnes, Joe Buck and featured Variety Child Lorelei – raising more than $360,000 that will go directly to provide children with vital medical equipment. After the program, headliner Carlos Santana took the stage for a vibrant and energetic performance for a crowd of more than 2,000 guests.

Jim Weddle was honored as the 2013 Man of the Year. He is pictured above (center) with his wife Stacey (left), Variety President Greg Boyce, 2012 Man of the Year Michael Neidorff and Variety Child Gracie

Noémi Neidorff (center) received the 2013 Woman of the Year award. Pictured with her is her husband Michael (right), Variety President Greg Boyce and Variety child Josiah. Photos by Peter Wochniak

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CONTINUED

Emcee Joe Buck

Bill and Ira DeWitt

Variety Children’s Chorus performing, “La Musica”

Lisa and Greg Boyce

Connie and Kevin Popejoy, Davida and Randy Layer, Paige and Craig Kline 5

Dinner With the Stars Chairman Marilyn Fox and her husband Sam

David and Thelma Steward


CONTINUED

Variety teen Madison and Santana giving a surprise presentation for the Humanitarian Award

Ron and Cheri Fromm with Alex and Dana Bochert

Ken and Nancy Kranzberg

David Steward just discovered the Humanitarian Award was for him, his family proudly applaud his achievement

Jeff and Steve Fox

Steve and Kelly Gross

Paul and Elke Koch 6


CONTINUED

Gayle and Fred Palmer

Megan and Richard Mark

Ambassador George H. (Bert) Walker III and his wife Carol

Anita and Fred Chu

Tom Sobbe, Carole Buck, Ruth Sobbe, Margaret Roarty, Dee Hamel, Lee Roarty, Michael Roarty and Sean Roarty

Anita and Fred Chu

Nancy and Walter Galvin

Ed and Margie Imo 7

Chris and Lisa Terry, Jill and Larry Otto and Jan Albus

Laura and Spencer Koch

Jan Albus, Lorelei and Jim Byrnes during the Dinner with the Stars pledge drive

Vicki and John Sondag


April 20, 2013 at the Chase Park Plaza Emcee Mandy Murphey

From the Left: New York Fashion Designer Edward Wilkerson with Variety child Hannah, a runway model in a beautiful Lafayette 148 gown and Edward Wilkerson with Honorary Chair Thelma Steward, Runway Show Chair Kimberly Steward and Event Chair Mary Steward

This year’s Runway Lights Fashion Show, the annual kick-off event to Variety Week featured the flattering and versatile clothing line of Edward Wilkerson, director and creative mind behind Lafayette 148 New York. Guests were in awe of each colorful design that graced the runway, each more vibrant than the next – providing the perfect preview of Wilkerson’s Spring 2013 collection along with Carlos Santana’s famous line of shoes.

Laura Herring, Fern Hammerman, Carol Imo and Margie Imo

Katie Fidler, Penny Pennington, Karen Morrow and Kathy Iversen

As in past year’s, the Ameren PowerKids took to the runway and the Variety Children’s Chorus performed. Mandy Murphy once again, emceed – making our live auction full of top of the line get-aways and artistic creations a huge success raising almost $42,000. This year’s silent auction was also a sucess – highlighting Variety’s first ever Chairs for Children Fundraiser. Designers from all over the St. Louis area created 13 custom-made chairs to be included in the silent auction.

Fashion Show guests shopping at the Variety Boutique

Rolex raffle by Simons Jewelers

Elke Koch, Variety Chairman of the Board Greg Boyce and Lisa Boyce 8


CONTINUED

Terry Coleman, Mary Steward and Fran Zamler

Carolyn Grove and Holly Blumeyer

Diane Breckenridge’s creation, one of the 13 chairs in the Chairs for Children silent auction

Kay Love, Rosemary Burgess and Mollie Burgess

Runway Show

Variety Children’s Chorus performing “Wish Upon a Star”

Variety child Kenneth in his Ameren Power wheel chair 9

Mandy Murphey and Christina Altholz auctioning off the bedazzled Carlos Santana boot on the runway

Tom Voss and David Catron


CONTINUED

Mandy Murphy showing off her Carlos Santana shoes

Variety Woman Penny Pennington talking about Ther-Happy Kids

Simons Jewelers Rolex watch raffle

Variety Chairman of the Board Greg Boyce taking a test ride in a Rolls Royce, provided by Stl Motorcars

Variety child Taylor on the runway in her Ameren power wheel chair with Mark Krupinski

Runway Show

Kathy Hammer, Myrna Williamson, Vicki Groswald and Kristi Peterson

Variety Children’s Chorus member Eddy modeling a hospital gown from Designs by Hannah

Terry Ross, Alison Sheehan and Ashley Margulis 10


Fox 2/KPLR 11 Call-A-Thon For Kids April 24, 2012 • Presented by Raising more than $4,500 – it is clear that this year’s Call-A-Thon had the right mix. Between the numerous anchors who not only boasted Variety’s mission on air but showed unparalleled kindness to each Variety child, to the 12 Variety children and their families who made their way to the Fox 2/KPLR 11 studio for interviews, to the 25 Edward Jones associates that worked diligently in the call center to accept countless donations from Fox 2 viewers – everyone seemed to have a hand in making this year a success! To view photos of the Call-A-Thon visit our Flickr page at www.flickr. com/varietystl, or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/varietystl.

FOX 2/KPLR 11 President Spencer Koch with Variety child Sophia and her dad

Variety Child Ryan with Margie Ellisor of FOX 2

Variety child Sam helps Edward Jones associate answer phone calls during the live broadcast

Variety teen Cole helped man the phones

Imo's For Kids Day – April 24, 2013

Variety child Josie

Once again, Margie and Ed Imo graciously confirmed their reputation as “The Care Beyond Compare” and hosted Imo’s for Kids Day on April 24, 2013. As Imo’s all over the St. Louis region bustled with the business of Variety-supporting customers, Variety’s agencies and Variety’s corporate sponsors, Imo’s donated up to 20 percent of all proceeds from that day to Variety. From waking up early with Fox 2 to making

Carl Imo cooking pizza with Variety kids Josie and Dominic 11

Variety child Sam

pizza with Variety kids Josie and Dominick, to directly helping Variety children with their generous 125,000 donation, Imo’s has proven to be an amazing partner throughout Variety Week and the rest of the year! To view photos of this year’s Imo’s for Kids Day visit our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/ varietystl or Facebook page at www.facebook. com/varietystl.

Variety child Dominic with Margie Imo


April 27, 2012 • City Cottage St. Louis young professionals joined us at City Cottage for Young Variety’s signature event, Night of the Rising Stars. Guests enjoyed complimentary cocktails courtesy of Anheuser-Busch Inbev and Purus Vodka as well as live music by St. Louis favorite, The Soulard Blues Band. Night of the Rising Stars was a huge success bringing in more than $38,000! The evening featured an appearance by emcee, Sherry Farmer of Clear Channel Radio, and Variety Kids Nick and Morgan had a blast hanging out with Miss Missouri USA 2013, Ellie Holtman. This year’s silent auction featured a variety of items from Cardinals tickets to golf outings and raised more than $6,200. Special thanks to our sponsors, BKD, LLP., World Wide Technology, Inc., Enterprize, Ameren Missouri, McCarthy, Landis+Gyr, Kaldi’s Coffee, Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale P.C. and Frank LETA Acura.

Emcee Sherry Farmer of Clear Channel Radio with event Co-chair Becky Clauss

Megan Mark and Tara Ryterski

To view photos of this year’s Night of the Rising Stars visit our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/varietystl, or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/varietystl. Colin McNamee, Alexis Nelson, Joannah Racine, Young Variety President Joe Denother and Rebecca Lich

Thank you to our cash prize winners, Laura and Mike Hill for donating everything back to Variety!

Miss Missouri with Variety child Nick

Korey Johnson, Khalia Collier and Arika Parr

Melanie Volk, Jessica Poppenhager, Meredith Hollingshead, Jill Reiniger and Christine Johanson 12


Lorelei This huggable Variety child, Lorelei, served as the perfect special equipment ambassador during Variety’s Dinner with the Stars program at the Peabody Opera House alongside Jim Byrnes and Jan Albus. Lorelei’s contagious smile and awe-inspiring story seemed to touch the hearts of everyone present at the event – and garnered an amazing special equipment drive this year – raising more than $360,000. Lorelei’s story – told through a beautiful video showed to everyone present at this year’s gala, Lorelei with her mother Nicole backstage at Lorelei meeting Carlos Santana allowed the crowd to get a small glimpse into the Dinner with the Stars challenges Lorelei and her family have faced. Doctors told Lorelei’s family that she would never walk or talk and that more children every year die from congenital heart defects like Lorelei’s than all childhood cancers combined. But Lorelei, like many courageous Variety children, is defying the odds and living each day to the fullest. Variety has changed Lorelei’s life forever. Her equipment allows her to take part in normal daily activities and to communicate her needs to those around her. Her positive attitude and personal experience with Variety’s equipment made her the perfect representative at Dinner with the Stars and we couldn’t be more proud of her!

Hannah At this year’s Runway Lights Fashion Show Variety child Hannah fullfilled a lifelong dream by debuting her inaugural line of designer hospital gowns on the runway at The Chase Park Plaza. This 10-year-old fashionista in training designed four hospital gowns for kids and even got some advice from this year’s designer Edward Wilkerson. Forget the boring neutral colors and uncomfortable fabric. Each gown in Hannah’s “Diamond Collection” featured bright fabrics with fun patterns including cupcakes, peace signs and even camouflage for the boys. Each gown, modeled by a Variety Children’s Chorus member prior to Edward Wilkerson’s runway show, astonished the audience. However, it is her story and her passion that truly made an impact on this year’s fashion show attendees. Hannah has undergone 17 surgeries and has been alone for most of them. However, her 2010 adoption allowed her to have a family by her side during her most recent surgery, a MACE mitrofanoff surgery, a bladder augmentation surgery. During this hospital stay, Hannah and her mother passed the time decorating her hospital gown. This activity inspired Hannah, a lover of anything pink and sparkly, to spread the joy of feeling beautiful and comforted by a family and minimize the fear of hospital stays by creating her own line of hospital designer gowns for children like her. Hannah’s fashion designs were the perfect addition to this year’s show and we can’t wait to see her gowns spread joy to children everywhere!

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Tributes and Memorials (March 2, 2013 – May 29, 2013) In honor of Joseph, my awesome son an Adventure Camper Mr. Joe Niemeyer In honor of the Boyce Family Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wirtz In honor of Reece Delashmit Mr. Chandler Brooks Mr. Eric Chou Mr. Micheal Hopkins

In honor of everyone who works for Variety Volha Zhdanava In memory of Victor Becvar Mr. & Mrs. Richard Nieters Mrs. Mary F. Weaver

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Mayo Mr. & Mrs. John W. Messbarger Mrs. Nancy Quicke Ms. Christine Raab Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Voss In memory of Corinn Peterson Ms. Lillian Peterson

In memory of Shirley Beerman Mr. Tom Beerman

In memory of Joan Marie Pfeifer Mr. & Mrs. David A. Bartz

In honor of Marilyn and Sam Fox Mr. & Mrs. Tom Schweich

In memory of Ahamadi Begum Dr. Anjum Hassan and Tariq Hassan

In honor of Marilyn Fox Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Fox Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Fox

In memory of Verna Delashmit Mrs. Emma Boschert Mrs. Linda S. Boyle Mr. & Mrs. Fears Mr. James Fesler Mr. & Mrs. John Foley Ms. Julie Gilbert Ms. Julia Kline Mr. Anthony Lombardo Mr. Owen Margolis Mr. Gary Margolis Mr. & Mrs. John J. May Mr. Lee McCormick Mrs. Pam Neal Mr. & Mrs. Mike O’Brien Mrs. Ellen J. Rensch Mr. Richard Shelton Mr. Timothy Shocklee Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Simpson Stock Transport Inc. Akin & Porter Produce, Inc. Carson’s A.D., Inc.

In memory of Richard “Dick” Renna Mrs. Dinorah Bommarito Mrs. Nina Bryans Mr. & Mrs. Robert Flach Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Liberstein Mr. Terry Schieler Mr. & Mrs. Neil Schulte Mrs. Elizabeth Bolen Stookey Mr. & Mrs. Ben Thietje Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Tynan Mrs. Beth Vordtriede Ms. Carole Zatlin Schuchat, Cook & Werner

In honor of Morgan Fritz Ms. Cherie L. Hill Mrs. Dorothy J. Sinclair In honor of Nancy Galvin Mr. & Mrs. William Rusnack In honor of Vincent Govia Mrs. Kelly Kokinos-Govia In honor of Maggie’s Kids Mrs. Gloria Luber In honor of Noemi Neidorff Dr. & Mrs. Timothy J. Eberlein Mr. & Mrs. James L. Fogle Ms. Lorraine Gallard Mr. & Mrs. Edward Lowenthal Dr. & Mrs. William Peck Mr. & Mrs. John R. Roberts Mr. & Mrs. Alan Sunshine Mrs. Donna Wilkinson

In memory of Patricia Kealey Ms. Sharon L. Dominguez Mr. & Mrs. Tom Noelke

In honor of Ryan Schulte Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Ryan

In memory of Marie Kilian Mr. William P. Kilian Sr.

In honor of David & Thelma Steward Mr. Barry T. Cervantes Mr. Gene Sehl Ms. Fetauaiga Faye Walker

In memory of John Mulderig Jr. Mr. & Mrs. David Bircher Mr. Jeffrey M. Crocker Mr. & Mrs. William Johnson Jr.

In memory of Michael J. Roarty Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Anderson Ms. H. Lucinda Baker Mr. & Mrs. Joe Castellano Mr. Robert Costas Ms. Sharon Fruit Mrs. Tanya Grogg Martell Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Henrichs Mrs. Norma Laenen Mr. Joe LaMantia III Mr. Nick Pizzichino Ms. Ruthe Ponturo Mr. James Ralph Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Ritter Mrs. Lee Roarty LaGrange Grocery Company NH Scheppers Distributing Co. In memory of Jim Russomanno Mr. Donald W. Cramer

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COMING SOON Variety Adventure Camp June 10-14

June 24-28

July 8-12

July 22-26

For the first time in Variety’s history, all four weeks of camp (beginning June 10) are now full and currently have waiting lists! As camp continues to grow, we appreciate this tremendous interest in our program and hope we will have the resources to eliminate wait lists and allow every child that applies to join us for Adventure Camp next year. If you would like to donate to Variety Adventure Camp and allow us to continue to serve the children in our region please visit www.varietystl.org.

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