A "Special" Gift this Halloween

This Halloween, there's no need to put on a silly costume or go knocking on doors. That's because Variety Children's Charity will be delivering its treat to Kansas City kids!
On Thursday, November 3rd, Variety Children's Charity will be donating a new adaptive bicycle to students at Kansas State School for the Blind. There are about 50 kids enrolled on a daily basis at the school. The majority of these students will be able to enjoy the bike from Freedom Concepts. "Children with varying degrees of visual impairments, including the totally blind, will be able to use this bike safely due to the rear steering mechanism. In addition, the bike is able to be modified to fit all children with varying degrees of physical ability. Our students are gonna love their new bike!" says Christy Bowen with Kansas State School for the Blind.

Variety Children's Charity is a volunteer based organization that's dedicated to helping Kansas City kids with mobility issues. We raise money in creative and fun ways. Then we use that money to buy wheelchairs, adaptive bikes and tricycles, and walkers. Most of our kids' families have insurance, but the expensive equipment they need to be a kid isn't always covered.

Please join us as we help some very special Kansas City kids enjoy a bike ride!

Who: Variety Children's Charity
What: We're donating an adaptive bike to students at Kansas State School for the Blind
When: Thursday, November 3, at 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Where: Kansas State School for the Blind, 1100 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66210 , in the gym
Why: Because all kids deserve to have fun!
Parking: Park in the lot with the flag pole. Enter the main building (the one on your right as you enter that lot) and sign in at the principal's office.

For more information, contact Variety's Executive Director Deb Wiebrecht at 913.558.2309

Row Host Party

Last night was the Row Host Party for the 2012 Variety Show to be held on February 25th at the Midland Theater in Downtown Kansas City. The event was a major success and would not have been possible without Hart Associates who donated their beautiful event space (1824 Walnut) and provided the wine for the event! Also, a thank you to United Beverage for the beer and Hy-Vee for the food! So amazing! We are truly thankful for their contributions!

The best part of the evening was the performances offer by Vocalocity!
Vocalocity is the first show choir of its kind in the Kansas City metropolitan area, with no ties to any particular school or school district. Instead, the performers come together from all over the city to create a place where kids who love to sing, dance and act can shine! They performed Viva La Vida by Coldplay, Open Arms by Journey, and Africa by Toto!

The event brought in 7 Row Hosts and 4 Table Donors. Which is $5,300 donated to Variety of Greater Kansas City in 1 night!

If you are interested in becoming a Row Host ($300 or $50 per ticket with a party of 6) or a Table Donor ($800 or $100 per ticket with a party of 8) please contact Deborah Wiebrecht at (913) 558-2309.

"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving"

Deborah Wiebrecht

Deborah Wiebrecht: Sep 7, 2011 5:23pm
Catie riding her tricycle in the culdesac! What a blessing!
Length: ‎0:35

Thank you note from grateful family....

I just wanted to take a moment to let you and everyone involved, to know how much all of this means to my family and I. I cannot tell you how amazing it feels just to know that Bridget will soon be able to ride a bike around the neighborhood with her friends, cousins, and Mom and Dad. It is something that we once believed would never be possible but thanks to people, such as yourselves, dreams do indeed come true. We cannot put into words just how wonderful and amazing this all has made us feel. I am truly at a loss for words and I can honestly say that doesn't happen often at all!




I have always considered Bridget an angel from heaven who has just been separated from her wings here on earth. What you all have done has put her a step closer to flying. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God keep and bless you all!







All our Love & Gratitude,

Darrell, Christina & Bridget

A Triple Threat!

I'm declaring a triple threat!

Hello Readers, it's your dear friend Leslie with an update to our February 2012 Variety Show. Have you purchased your tickets?

Oh, don't lie to me. I know you haven't... since they're not available yet. At least tell me you've circled the date on your calendar.

This morning I had a meeting with our Variety Show's Artistic Directors. (If they... or executive director Deb Wiebrecht... are reading this I want to apologize for being late. I had all intentions of being on time. Really. But babies. Well, one baby, can change everything).

Anywho... I am declaring Michael Grayman and Andrew Parkhurst our triple threat. Usually that would mean they can act, sing and dance (which they can)... but today I was struck by three other aspects of the duo. They're TALENTED, GENEROUS, and CARING. The men recently started one of Kansas City's most exciting theatre companies-- Spinning Tree Theatre-- and both have a long list of professional theatre credits. And I have to say... they make me laugh (which, as the CEO of the imaginary fortune 500 company-- Leslie Inc.-- is a must on all job applications!).

This morning we went over some show concepts. Right now we're focused on getting some of Kansas City's best known citizens to take the stage in February. But I have to say I already feel like our cast of behind-the-scenes volunteers and talent is deserves a standing ovation. 

Cheers, Leslie

See for yourself....

spinningtreetheatre.com

Variety Show Blog by Leslie...Emmy Award Winning Writer....Take 1!

Hello America! Wait, this isn't going national?

Well then, hello Kansas City! Welcome to Leslie's First Variety Blog. (You'd think someone asked to author their very own blog would be creative enough to come up with a more original title... but I've got nothing. If you have suggestions, I'm happy to take them.)

So let me do a quick introduction: I'm Leslie Carto. I've been on Variety's board since the fall. I've been a full time mom since August 2nd, when my darling son Will was born. Before Will came calling, I was an reporter at Fox 4. I guess once this hits the internet I can add "blogger" to my resume.

I can't say I'm a huge blog reader-- except for one guilty pleasure: Jay Mohr's blog about The Real Housewives of New Jersey.  Oh, how it makes me giggle. Okay, back to task ('cause Will's nap isn't going to last all afternoon!).

So besides being on Variety's Board... I've also signed up to be the co-chairman of our BIG (that's right, in caps, big) fundraising event: our February 2012 Variety Show. We're hoping to mix up some familiar faces -- and some well known Kansas City talent-- to create a fantastic night at the Midland Theatre. My co-chairman is the excellently organized Mark Moberly-- a founding member of Young Variety. And Mark is great... but Mark is also efficient, and smart, and did I mention organized? Which can make me look a bit, um, scattered. But have faith... I'm getting my act together. And this blog is just the start.

To pull off an event of this magnitude... the team (so far that's mainly Mark, Variety Executive Director Deb Wiebrecht, and me) is working with Michael Lintecum and Josh Strodtman of the Lintecum Group. Every other Wednesday we hold a Dining Room meeting (another fabulously creative title based on the fact we meet in my dining room).

Here's where I admit the meeting started with disappointment. Yesterday Mark asked if I'd be baking more of my famous (i.e. cheap and easy Jiffy) corn muffins. It takes about 50-cents and 20 minutes to whip up a batch. So sure, I should have make some. But... I didn't. I have no idea where the time goes in the evening--- and there wasn't even a Real Housewives on to distract me. 

Back to the meeting: This morning we planned the details of Monday's Committee Casting Call meeting. That's the meeting we want YOU to attend. It's Monday, June 27 from 4:00-5:30 at Wilks Broadcasting in Westport. It's a chance to learn more about our Variety Show and how you can help make it super duper awesome! (And, if you noticed, it lets out at the perfect time to celebrate Happy Hour-- since you'll already be across the street from Harry's.)

Hope I can see you at our Committee Casting Call! Cheers, Leslie

One more note: a very special thanks to Deb's Daughter- Sommer- who watches Will during our Dining Room meetings. Without Sommer it'd be impossible. Thank You, Sommer!

Bruce Chen + Variety Team Up for the Royals 5K Run/Walk