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

Variety, The Children's Charity

"You never stand so tall as when you stoop to help a child"

The compassion of local community members and the efforts of countless volunteers help make the Variety, The Children's Charity's annual telethon a success year after year.

Channel 9 Eyewitness News anchors Larry Wentz and Jenna Rehnstrom hosted this year's  Variety, The Children's Charity Telethon on March 5th & 6th. With Siouxland's generosity, over 3 million dollars was raised this year.

The money raised locally will remain in our community , helping to support more than 30 Siouxland charities. These charities apply for financial assistance on a yearly basis, and their requests are put through an intensive review process to ensure that every dollar raised is used in the best way possible.

Local Siouxland agencies that have benefited include; Girls, Inc. who received a 15-passenger van, Gospel Mission who received fund for school supplies for deserving children, Family Crisis Centers of NW Iowa who received Transportation Assistance, Community Action Agency of Siouxland for funds to be used in their Serve Safe Training Program, Faith, Hope and Charity who received funds for renovations, Mid-Step Services who received a 15-passenger van, Family Crisis Center who received financial help to support transportation for youth, Jackson Recovery, Girls, Inc who benefited by receiving a 15-passenger van, Mercy Medical Center Foundation/Child Advocacy Center who was able to purchase a Welch Allyn Video Colposcope with Image Capture System, Community Action Agency of Siouxland who used the money for a BRIGANCE Development Screen for 21 head start classrooms, Family Crisis Centers of NW Iowa, Opportunities Unlimited who received a van, the Watchful Eye Foundation that used month to purchase computers and Goodwill who used the money received on building renovations at their Goodwill Camp.

 The generous contributions made by our community members make it possible for organizations to purchase new buildings, provide immunizations, and plan programs for special needs children. These programs help children with physical and mental disabilities, and those dealing with drug, alcohol, sexual, and physical abuse.

Funds also help to support special events for children such as "Bikes for Kids", "Movie Day at Carmike Theaters", "Zoo Day at Blank Park Zoo" and "Breakfast with Santa".

In addition, money raised by the telethon helps the Variety, The Children's Charity to purchase Sunshine Coaches. The Coaches transport children to hospitals to receive medical care, take them on field trips and other fun activities. More than 220 Sunshine Coaches have been purchased for Iowa charities.

On behalf of Variety, The Children's Charity of Iowa and Channel 9 KCAU-TV, we thank you for your dedication to the children of Siouxland.