Variety Tent 8, the Kansas City Children's Charity, lives up to its name. Chartered by Variety International in the early 30' s and reactivated in 1974, the Kansas City Tent has raised more than $6,000,000 in cash and in-kind services for the benefit of local special needs children. An emotion-packed story that began in 1927 when a foundling child was abandoned on a theatre seat in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provided the catalyst for the worldwide organization that today consists of 52 Tents in 13 countries. Born in show business, Variety reaches out with a helping hand to children wherever the need exists. Typical of the caring heart of the Heart of America, in Kansas City -the PEOPLE of VARIETY CARE!

HER NAME WAS BABY CATHERINE

"Please take care of my baby. I have 8 others. I have always heard of the goodness of show business and I pray to God that you will look out for her." The note was signed, "A heartbroken Mother."

Catherine Variety Sheridan was "adopted" by a group of veteran showmen in the Pittsburgh area whose hearts were rightfully thought to be "good." As word spread of their compassion and caring, other Tents sprang up across the nation, eventually to reach the shores of countries around the world. Kansas City is proud to have been among the first to respond to our children's cry for help.

TELESCOPING THE PAST

During World War II and its aftermath, the Motion Picture industry pursued a period of behind- the-scenes activity on behalf of needy families and children. It was in 1974 that leaders of the local film community reaffirmed their desire to assume a more public profile. Those who operated theatres (Exhibition) joined with regional executives of the major film companies (Distribution) to once again focus attention on the shortage of funding for special needs children by seeking to recharter Tent 8.

Variety's fundraising efforts on behalf of local children became widely known. Membership in Tent 8 expanded to include men and women whose only requirement was to care about kids. The corporate community signed on. And the media stepped up to the plate, providing timely coverage, editorial space and broadcast time (KMBC-TV; Channel 9's all day Telethons.)

Chartered in the state of Missouri, Tent 8 scrupulously guards its status as a not-for-profit. Office space has traditionally been provided on a cost-free basis. The business community has contributed goods and services that help to facilitate operations. However, certain expenses are unavoidable. These include, but are not always limited to; postage, the services of one clerk on a part-time basis, phone expenses and in some instances, required equipment.

Variety is grateful to its many benefactors who, through their kind intervention, have substantially reduced administrative costs. In Kansas City - BUSINESS CARES!

WORKING FOR THE KIDS

During the last four decades fundraising has taken many forms and garnered many friends. One of the highest profile events has been CELEBRATING OSCAR NIGH~ AMERICA. As victorious Oscar winners receive their awards in . Hollywood, local fans enjoy the spectacle on the giant- size screen at AMC's historic Midland Theatre. With many of Kansas City's merchants and fine restaurants participating in the Gala, K.C.'s HEART OPENS WIDE FOR K.C.'S KIDS.

The annual HY-VEE GOLF SCRAMBLE is the occasion! Variety's special needs children are the winners! As the event's major sponsor, HY-VEE sets an example of community outreach that encourages area wide participation. Tent 8 values HY-VEE and all our philanthropic partners, individual. and corporate, who unselfishly work on behalf of the kids.

HY-VEE and FRIENDS CARE!

And a good time was had by all! At that special season of the year when the city is bathed in Yuletide cheer, Variety Tent 8 and the AMC WARD PARKWAY THEATRE entertain a throng of the area's youngest special needs children. Look closely and you're sure to spot old Santa himself passing out treats to go with the show. Homeward bound, he's still on the job, gifting each child with a Christmas surprise.

Fast forward to July when AMC and Tent 8 host a group of older boys and girls from area agencies. Once again the party format is replayed. ..a great movie on the screen accompanied by a snack pack of munchies and drink.

AMC and VARIETY CARE!

If you catch sight of a big white van rolling down the street, and that big white van reads "Variety," it's one of 34 SUNSHINE COACHES that travels the highways and byways of K.C. By participating in a program sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, Tent 8 helps to fulfill a critical need for children's transportation services - WAY TO GO, KIDS!

In addition to the year-round fundraising programs of Tent 8, the CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND, operating as a separate legal entity, provides designated benefits to youngsters with individual needs. In recent years, contributions have included three motorized wheelchairs and one manually operated wheelchair. A local boy, born without a hand and arm below one elbow, was outfitted with a prosthetic device which allows him to do most things other boys do. Many other children with special needs have been accommodated as their individual disabilities required.

Personal and corporate-generated gifts endow the CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND. Large gifts or small, each donated dollar brings the promise of a better life for another child. K. C. DONORS CARE!

IN RECENT YEARS, THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING THROUGH TENT 8 AND / OR THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND of GREATER KANSAS CITY.

Boys and Girls Clubs of GKC
Camp Fire USA
Camps for Kids
CASA of Johnson/Wyandotte Counties
The Children's Place
Children's TLC Easter Seals
Crittenton Center
DeLaSalle Education Center
Della C. Lamb Community Services
Don Bosco Center
Forty Acres and a Mule
Genesis
Girl Scouts of Mid-Continent Council
Helping Hands Therapeutic Riding Center
Hope House
Jellbean Conspiracy
KVC Behavioral Healthcare
Lakemary Center
Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center
Marillac School
Niles Home for Children
Northland Early Education Center
Ozanam
Salvation Army Children's Shelter
Sherwood Center
Special Olympics MO-KS Metro
Spofford Home
Sunshine Center School
Synergy Services, Inc.
TLC for Children and Families
Triality, Inc.

For information regarding special funding or
participation in fundraising opportunities,
please contact:

Variety of Greater Kansas City
17 Anchor Drive
Lake Tapawingo, MO 64015-9650
(816) 220-2068 Fax (816) 224-3734

Through sponsorships and donations of goods and
services, the above area commercial enterprises
prove by example...THEY CARE!

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT VARIETY

Variety Tent 8 welcomes the participation of all of Kansas City and its good neighbors in Missouri and Kansas. Though there is much more to tell about the organization and its projects, the bottom line is simply one of MAKING A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

When Baby Catherine's deeply troubled mother pleaded in her note, "Please take care of my child," she was talking to all of us. More than 75 years after her baby was left on that theatre seat in Pittsburgh, the message remains the same. And we know, TO HELP A KID BE A KID BRINGS THE GREATEST JOY! May we invite you to join us and share this special joy?

P.S. BE A VIP! AS AN ADDED PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP, SEE THE BIG PICTURES FIRST AT A NEARBY AMC THEATRE.

WHEN YOU JOIN VARIETY, YOU'RE SPECIAL!

WE HONOR OUR BUSINESS AFFILIATES

AMC THEATRES
BERNSTEIN-REIN ADVERTISING, INC.
HY-VEE, INC.
KMBC-TV, Channel 9
SHORT'S TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
THE KANSAS CITY STAR

All contributions remain in the Kansas City area
for Kansas City kids.

All contributions are tax deductible

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