Where The Money Goes

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

Variety-The Children's Charity receives numerous requests for funding of worthwhile and significant programs in the Mid-South area. Our Board of Directors meets each month to review these requests and visits facilities that are requesting funds for the first time.

Funding may be apportioned in several ways. When a significant amount is allocated to a facility or program, it may be over an extended period of time or paid in a lump sum. This is often determined based on dollars in hand as well as dollars promised but not yet received. Funds may also be earmarked for specific programs or projects on a one-time-only basis.

In addition to granting donations, Variety -The Children's Charity also provides vans, known as "Sunshine Coaches", for the transportation of children in and around the Metropolitan area with the assistance of Ford Motor Co.

Over the years, Variety -The Children's Charity of Memphis has funded millions of dollars to more than 100 deserving organizations and/or programs in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, due to the geographical location of the Metropolitan area. There are so many praiseworthy request that the decisions for funding and grants awarded are usually difficult and sometimes heartbreaking, because our goal is to have the resources to assist them all.

WORKING FUNDS RAISED BY VARIETY THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY OF MEMPHIS, TN:

MADONNA PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM “Start Up” FUND AWARDED. A fund has been set up with a promise to continue fundraising has been established for Madonna Learning Center for a pre-school educational program for students with disabilities. Founded in 1969 and assisted by Variety’s generous funding to help purchase a new facility in 1995, the school serves children ages 5 to 21 years old from mostly Shelby but also Fayette and Desoto Counties. The school provides educational services that are individualized to maximize strengths and address challenges of their students.

MADONNA NEW CAFETERIA & CLASSROOM FURNITURE A donation recently funded greatly needed height adjustable cafeteria tables equipped with appropriate size seating and new classroom height adjustable desk and chair’s which are more suitable for the children’s daily learning and working lifestyle. This has provided a more comfortable and better learning environment for children with special needs.

SPECIAL KIDS & FAMILIES, INC OPERATIONAL FUNDING was awarded in order to help in the support of operational cost for services through the family-centered Early Intervention Program, a program dedicated to helping children and their families to maximize their potential. The organization founded by parents of children with Down syndrome for ages 0-3 years of age, partner with parents and have a team of pediatric professionals serving their needs through preschool programs, individual therapies, family training, parent support and delivers community services one-on-one, in home and at their facility. Variety also sponsor their annual Bunny 5K Run/Walk and 727 Memphis Plane Pull. Saturday, April 15, 2006 Bunny Run 5k/1 Mile Family Walk for Special Kids & Families, Inc. Sign-up now! www.BunnyRun.RacesOnLine.com. Want to volunteers? Email: admin@specialkidsandfamilies.org

PORTER-LEATH CHILDREN’S SERVICES receives Variety support as presenting sponsors of the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival & Gumbo Cook Off and assistance with their Children’s Annual Appreciation Day Festival.

CONCORD ACADEMY Concord Academy Junior and High School received scholarship funding to assist with student tuition and a grant donation for new software and equipment upgrade for the schools computer lab. Concord Academy (students 6th-12thgrade), provides the flexible curriculum and specialized programming within a small, nurturing, personal environment in which junior and high school students can learn and are able to thrive.

FAYETTE COUNTY F.A.R.A annual funding sends underprivileged youth to national meets where they have been able to take top honors, both regionally and nationally.

VARIETY HOLIDAY FOOD BASKET DRIVE feeds over 1200 Mid-South area children and their families from Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Crittenden and Desoto Counties Christmas dinner plus food for a week.

C.O.M.E.C. COMMISSION ON MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN are given funds to help aid in the search for missing children.

THE WESLEY SCHOOL received funds for tuition and in the recent past funds to add a six-grade teacher to their elementary school staff designed to educate special needs children with learning disabilities.

MEMPHIS AREA SPECIAL OLYMPICS received funding to send eight Mid-South athletes on Team USA to the World Special Olympic Games in Dublin, Ireland. Variety also presents the annual State Basketball Championships and “Keeping It Lit In Memphis” bi-annual torch run.

FRIENDS OF TIPS a non-profit support organization provides parent of children with additional services such as respite, training workshops, family social outings, books, clothes and financial assistance if needed, is funded by Variety.

Variety Cookbooks raise money that goes towards children needing speech therapy and towards the MDA SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM.

ROYAL FAMILY KIDS’ CAMP OF DESOTO COUNTY with Variety support provided a week long summer camp for children in local foster care through the Desoto County Department of Human Services.

MARCH OF DIMES NORTH MISSISSIPPI annual golf tournament and 5K Run/Family Fun Walk has been presented by Variety in years past.

MEMPHIS ORAL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF were given funding for speech and learning scholarships for underprivileged children from Shelby, Fayette and Desoto Counties.

THE RUFUS THOMAS SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR STAX MUSIC ACADEMY have received tuition funding for Mid-South area students.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER MEMPHIS receive funding from Variety Children’s Charities for community programs.

BRAVEKIDS.ORG was designed to help children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and or disabilities by providing an Internet directory of healthcare resources for children with special needs. Through the local fundraising efforts of Variety Children’s Charities, the BraveKids.org website is now linked to more than 700 local assisting organizations and health care providers, and over 30,000 links to help parents and their children, social workers, educators and the medical community in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, Crittenden and Desoto Counties with regional and national resources.