Variety, The Children's Charity - News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com

Variety, The Children's Charity, Telethon

The 2013 Variety, The Children's Charity, Telethon raised $3,603,013 at the Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines. The event was  broadcast across the state on three television stations, WOI-DT, WHBF-TV and KCAU-TV, as well as streamed live through the free Syncbak app for mobile devices.

Variety's first telethon in 1975 raised $150,000 and went to one grant recipient, Blank Children's Hospital.  Now nearly four decades later, Variety has raised over $94 million that has been granted to agencies serving children across the State of Iowa. Further, Variety has put over 300 Sunshine Coaches on the road transporting children to new adventures.  Thanks to the cast members, volunteers and donors who support Variety during Telethon and throughout the year, Variety is able to raise the much needed funds for Iowa's children.

Each year Variety receives hundreds of applications for financial assistance from children's agencies that serve special needs, underprivileged and at-risk children.  Individual committees divide applications into seven separate categories for review.  Applications are reviewed to determine the agency's need, purpose and services.  Individual interviews are conducted with each agency to learn more about how funding will be used.  This detailed process assures contributors that every dollar raised is used in the best possible manner.

Variety, Children's Charity website:  www.varietyiowa.com