To volunteer with Variety of Georgia - The Children’s Charity, go to www.varietyofgeorgia.org
While Georgia’s entertainment industry continues to grow, a nonprofit inspired through Vaudeville entertainment industry has been making a difference for Georgia children since 1939.
Variety of Georgia - The Children’s Charity works to provide children with disabilities and those in crisis with opportunities for a fulfilling childhood. On March 14, the charity surprised 75 deserving children from Roswell and Alpharetta with bicycles through its Bikes for Kids program at the Studio Movie Grill in Alpharetta.
Staying true to its entertainment roots, the day also involved a free movie screening for the children and their families complete with popcorn and drinks.
Chase Andrews, executive director for Variety of Georgia, marks this giveaway as one of the most special days throughout the year.
“We give about 250 bikes in a year, and everytime, it is so exciting to see the kids’ faces when they get their bikes,” she said. “A bike is such an important part of a childhood, and we are so glad we get to make it possible for these amazing kids and their families.”
Among the bike giveaways, Gabrielle Campbell, 5, was the recipient of an adaptive mobility bike to help overcome physical obstacles and provide therapeutic support.
“When I learned that my daughter was selected to receive the adaptive bicycle, I was overjoyed and thankful because it meant that she would be able to work on strengthening her trunk, improving her gait, and work on improving her hand eye coordination,” said her mother Charlene.
The Bikes for Kids program falls under Variety’s three core areas of helping deserving children. The Caring for Kids program provides access to uncovered medical services and devices; the Future Kids Program provides access to learning tools for children living with disadvantages or disabilities; and the Freedom program provides children with disabilities equipment such as wheelchairs, adaptive car seats, and therapeutic mobility bicycles.
To continue its mission, Variety hosts backpacking events, a holiday party and more events throughout the year that require volunteers to continue making the organization’s programs a success.
“We are always seeking volunteers to help continue our mission of caring for children across the state through our different programs,” Andrews added.
Variety – The Children’s Charity is the largest and most effective children’s charity in the world. The organization has grown to 39 Tents (or chapters) in 13 countries, raising over $1.7 billion to assist the treatment and care for children with special needs.
In other news: The U.S. Fund for UNICEF hosted its inaugural UNICEF's Evening for Children First Friday evening on March 20 at Atlanta's Summerour Studio. The event honored UNICEF supporters and philanthropists Rebecca and Sanjay Gupta and it raised more than $630,000 to support UNICEF's life-saving work for children.
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