St. Louis Variety is one of the most remarkable organizations I have ever had the pleasure of being involved with. Not only is it comprised of some of the most kind and generous individuals, but it is undoubtedly one of the most effective organizations at providing equipment, tools, therapy and enrichment opportunities for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. My little boy has cerebral palsy and the doors to independence that have been opened for him as a result of St. Louis Variety have been so invaluable and have allowed him become a confident and happy little boy. And Variety has made it possible for our family to enjoy this life without bearing the totality of the incredible burden of the outrageous costs of his medical equipment and care. We will forever be indebted to Variety St. Louis and are eternally grateful for all Nathan has received as a result of being a very lucky Variety kid!
Best inclusive programs: Variety Children's Theater and Variety Children's Chorus! Variety understands the importance of wheelchairs and other equipment; they assist financially with these items! Ultimately, Variety's symbol is a HEART for good reason- they love kids and help them reach their full potential! I cannot say enough good things about this amazing organization!
Variety is awesome! My son received a bike from this program, he now have the oppirtunity to share bike riding experiences. We also appreciate and look forward to the family outings. Not only do it bring awareness to the community but we're able to let our hair down because we are surrounded by many that understand. Thanks Variety for the many oppurtunities!
I am a volunteer with the Variety Children's Theatre and I have seen Variety kids gain skills and confidence in their abilities. By participating on backstage or onstage teams, they are learning skills which can transfer to potential careers, and learning how to work together as a team to realize goals.
Summer Camp, paying for equipment and therapy co-pays, the many family outings offered and caring staff are just a few of the reasons Variety of St. Louis is a great organization. Thank you Variety!!
I work at Sherwood Forest, a nonprofit, year-round youth development organization based in St. Louis. We have received several Sunshine Coaches (large 12-passenger vans) from Variety over the last 15 years. Our programs are anchored in a month-long residential summer camp experience, and we use these vehicles to transport our kids to and from our camp site in Lesterville, Missouri. Many of the kids we serve do not have access to reliable transportation, and Sunshine Coach Vans ensure that everyone is able to fully participate in our programs. We are so grateful to be able to partner with Variety The Children's Charity Of St. Louis to improve the lives of children in our community!
I am proud to be the Music Director for both the Variety Club Children's Theater and the Variety Club Children's Chorus. I have been involved with Variety as a professional musician for almost 20 years. What an organization. What dedicated, loving, supportive and caring workers and volunteers! These young people and their parents are all my heroes. I have seen Variety help families in need, provide support, programs, smiles, confidence, and "I can do it-ness," All of the money raised for Variety of St. Louis stays here in St. Louis.
Thank you for not just providing for special needs youth and their families, but also allowing ME the chance to see angels at work.
I have a 5 year old who has been helped immensely by the variety club! He has received medical equipment and has been to 3 of the amazing camps they have. He loves it. They are very good at being able to deal with a "variety" of kids with all different abilities. They are always very understanding and flexible to help fill our needs and to make accommodations. It has been such an enormous blessing in our lives and we are so very thankful!
I am 25 years old, and I have daughter who just turned 5 years old. In 2013 myself, my fiance , and my daughter were hit head on by a driver who was allegedly under the influence. This caused my daughter to have a traumatic brain injury and be diagnosed with ataxia. Since the accident recovery, she has become so determined to get back to where she was before the accident. She has to wear leg braces to help her balance and walk properly. When she out grew the ones the insurance paid for... the insurance would not cover for a new pair due to the short time she out grew the first ones. Unfortunately, I had no money to provide to out pocket for my daughter to walk properly... I searched everywhere trying to find a solution so that she could get the braces that were a necessity for her. I feel so stuck because everyone wanted to help but had no resources to. My daughters Physical therapist heard great things about variety and referred me to them. I contacted them and within a short time (about 2-3 weeks) my daughter had the doctors appointment to get the braces fitted and paid for. Variety provided all costs for her braces. No words could describe how appreciative and thankful that variety could help my daughter! I hope anybody out there struggling to find help like my family was, could be referred to by variety. They truly are amazing!
My 10 year old daughter (Madi) has cerebral palsy (she was born 12 weeks early). Variety has helped ensure she can get the equipment she needs (like a walker & stander) plus they help cover some of her weekly physical therapy co-pays. Madi has also participated in their amazing plays & their camp which make Madi feel more like a regular kid. I don't know what we'd do without Variety.
Traci
my son has gotten help from them since he was a baby, he is 12 years old and they still help us when our Insurance dont pay this organization is an awesome one the people just love these kids its like ... WOW!!! unbelievable.. amazing people! im in tears .. thank you so much guys! we couldn't do this with out your help! God Bless you for helping all these kid's!!
As parents to two children with special needs, we are determined to provide our children with the best that life has to offer, despite their disabilities. When the needs of our children became financially challenging, we reached out to Variety. Our youngest needed a walker and orthotics were required for both children and were provided immediately by Variety. Our children desperately wanted bikes, but were unable to ride the traditional ones. Variety was able to provide both of our children with therapeutic bikes, custom-fitted to their unique abilities.
Our children have also attended Variety Adventure Camp and always have the time of their lives. With their intense therapies and doctor appointments consuming most of their days, it is wonderful that Variety can help our children experience a more typical childhood summer. We thank God that Variety is able and willing to help us in so many ways.
We are unsure what the future entails and get overwhelmed when thinking about it, but we take great comfort in knowing that Variety will be there when we need them.
I've been an actor in two of Variety's productions. It is one of the most rewarding experiences I could ask for. It is wonderful to see children of all abilities get to participate and grow as individuals and to work together towards a goal. It's a fun experience for all and kids who participate are being taught valuable life lessons that they're not even aware of. Children who are not disabled are taught compassion and perhaps working with the Variety kids might make them want to pursue a career in special education or the medical or social work. The Variety kids get to be kids; treated like anyone else with the same expectations to do their very best. It is an excellent rehearsal environment. The Variety staff and the artistic staff work very hard to make sure that everyone is treated with respect and kindness while maintaining the necessary focus to mount their amazing productions. The staff also has high expectation of everyone in rehearsal and the kids always rise to the occasion and meet the challenge. Variety has been a valuable organization in the St. Louis community for decades and I know with the dedication of the staff and help from the community will continue to be a wonderful asset.
I had a great opportunity to be a wrangler for Peter Pan and it was one of the best experiences I had! I loved working with the kids and getting to see them grow as actors for the show. I was able to see the show on Sunday and it was amazing! I love seeing the Variety kids being treated as people not as people with a disability. This experience has reassured me to become a special ed teacher. I love everything Variety does!
Where do I start? My son needed a wheelchair. We didn't have the extra money to cover what insurance would not. We didn't know what we were going to do! I met a mom with a child in a chair at a fair. She told me about Variety, and gave me the number for Diane. Diane was so gracious and helpful. Variety covered what we couldn't. Then we learned that Variety not only helps with equipment, but many other things too. My son was invited to an adventure camp put on by Variety. It was wonderful! They do these camps to provide opportunities for children who otherwise would not be able to go to camp because of their limited abilities. These camps are helpful in building self esteem and to teach these children they can be a productive member of society. They also learn there are others out there with similar challenges.
Variety has been amazing for my son. He has gained confidence in himself and made friends. He feels valued and more comfortable in his own skin. It's an amazing organization that we are lucky to have in our community.
I am the parent of a six year old boy with Down syndrome and autism. Variety has helped him and our family in so many ways! The summer camp has been so amazing for him and he absolutely loves going. He is able to participate in a lot of activities that otherwise would be very challenging for him. He also received an adapted bike from Variety two years ago and it is amazing to see him pedal it himself, I have to run to keep up. He loves to ride it to the park in our neighborhood. Variety also provides our son with the orthodic inserts that help give him stability for movement. He also receives weekly therapy through the There-happy program. I can't imagine where we would be without the help of the Variety Club, it is truly a wonderful organization dedicated to helping kids with special needs.
My daughter is 8 years old and Variety has helped us more times that I can count! And in more ways than can be counted! She has attended "I Can" Summer Camp for years & it's her favorite weeks of the year. She has also received an amazing bike from Bikes for Kids, and a wheelchair lift for our van. For the past two years, she has loved being a part of Variety Chorus and this year, is doing her first musical with Variety. Everyone I speak to at Variety has such love for kids that it shines through in all they do! She would not be where she is without Variety & neither would we!
I have been served by Variety since I was 4 years old. I have gotten equipment and so many opportunities though. I love acting and singing. Because of Variety I've been able to take voice lessons and be in musicals. I've been able to meet new people and become friends with them. I'm so grateful to Variety for the opportunities I've had and the ones I'm continuing to get!
With out Variety Club I am not sure that we would beable to take care of our special needs daughter. They have helped us MANY times when the ins. Company could/would not pay for the equipment. I will forever be greatful for Variety Club and what they have done for us and other famlies like us! Many people do not understand the need for the equipment or the cost of it. God Bless Variety Club and Everyone that contributes to them To make all of this possible.
Forever Greatful,
Tammy
I wish I could give Variety 10 stars! What a fabulous organization. Our son has spina bifida and has attended camp for the past two years (FREE OF CHARGE). It would have been very difficult for us to provide the kind of camping experience he received on our own. The staff, volunteers, and programs are fabulous. Our son talked for an entire year about camp (in fact, he constantly asked us, "how many more months until I can go back to camp?!")
I can't say enough good things about Variety! Love them!
Our son suffered a traumatic brain injury in May of '08 at the age of 5. My wife and I were in shock as his life hung in the balance for weeks. As his condition stabilized, it became clear that we were entering a whole new world with a son requiring medical equipment and services that we weren't yet mentally or financially equipped to provide.
Variety was the first place we turned and 3 years later we have never heard them say "No." Our son relies on tens of thousands of dollars of durable medical goods everyday that Variety have been so graciously and unconditionally donated by the good folks at Variety.
Our family can say without reservation that Variety has played a pivotal role in our son's ongoing recovery and their dedication to special needs kids in the St. Louis area is without parallel.
I had the pleasure of working with the staff and participants of two summer camps that Variety - STL had at our facility this year. They are passionate, kind, friendly and a joy to work with. This organization has touched so many lives in such a positive manner.
When my nephew Daunte was born, we made a decision as a family that we would do everything we could to prevent him from being limited by Spina bifida. We knew he was going to have a long, hard road ahead of him, but we were committed to allowing Daunte to thrive just like all of his siblings. We had no idea how expensive therapies and equipment to allow him the most basic functions, such as mobility, would be. Variety Club has stepped up every time Daunte has needed equipment as he has grown. Daunte rides his bike to the park with his brothers and cousins, speeds through the house in his little quickie, and even goes shopping and runs errands with me in his full sized chair. By being able to get around with other kids, Daunte has the confidence to go anywhere and play with any child. That confidence and independence is something that was given to him by not just his family, but in large part due to Variety Club. We cannot thank this charity enough for allowing my nephew to be the outgoing, confident little man he now is.
Variety childrens Charity has been the lifeline for my son Martin he has been a client for about 16 years now .Diane Grutzka and Jen Petterson and the entire staff are remarkable.This organization has enabled Martin and the rest of our family to engage with various outings, the annual parade and We have goen to places like the Science Center,The Airport
Mcdonald's boat at the Arch.If the Variety's Childrens Charity was not in place Marty would never have any recreational activities at all.They also provided Marty with his first therapuetic bike.Can you believe that! And just when I thought they had done everything for us they were very instrumental to our family recieving a van from United Access! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR FAMILIES WITH MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPEACIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITES GOD BLESS YOU!
Hi my name is Angel and my son was born almost 5 years ago, he is adopted. The doctors told us that he would not amount to anything and we should consider not adopting him, but we refused to listen. Early intervention was called in to assist us in whatever he needed, they got Variety Club involved with us and they have helped out tremendously. They supplied equipment that he needed for the past 4 years. Anytime we need something all we I have to do is call Diane at Variety and she takes care of us. We could not have made it without their assistance. I am so proud of Variety I have recommended them to several people I know with handicapped children and they are thrilled. They finally have that peace of mind knowing someone out there cares as much about their children as they do. Thanks JJ's Mom
Nearly 3 years ago our son suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a car accident. Variety stepped in while we were still in the hospital to provide us with the equipment needed to take care of our son. They have continued to help provide equipment as he has gotten older. The items they provide are EXTREMELY expensive and our insurance covers none of it. We would be lost without Variety.
my son noah has spastic desplasa cerabal palsy,and other disabilites.without diane at variety i could not of gotten some of the equipment i needed. she helped me get an adapted bike,feeder chair.tjey are always there when i need someone.they really are caring.diane gresky is really friendly,she really dose care.once she meets you she remembers all the varitey kids name.im glad noah is one of there kids.thanks diane and varitey for being here
Our little Alex was born 2 months early, he spent the first 6 wks. of his life in the NICU, and he had severe heart and lung disease when he was born. On his 1st. Birthday, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He was later diagnosed with an immune deficiency, a monogenic form of diabetes, low tone cerebral palsy, and kidney disease.
After extensive and ongoing physical therapy, it was decided that Alex would benefit greatly from leg braces. Our medical insurance had other thoughts on this though. I shouldn't have been surprised, they have declined everything on Alex..including his cancer treatments. However, we were introduced to the Variety Club and because of them, a whole new world has been introduced to Alex. With his leg braces, he can be a kid. Before them, he couldn't hardly walk without falling over. We were in the ER every 2 wks. getting stitches from him falling and splitting his head open. This last December, Alex received a bike that was made specifically for him. To watch that little boy ride a bike brings tears of joy to my eyes every time. He is so proud of his new bike and the accomplishments that he has made.
Having a child with on going medical needs is very hard on a family physically, emotionally, and financially! If it wasn't for the Variety Club, Alex wouldn't have made near the accomplishments that he has made. Because of them, a whole new world has been opened up to him and he get's to be that little boy that he so badly wants and deserves to be.
Our family will always be extremely grateful for the Variety Club ;)
St. Louis Variety has done alot for my son who has cp. They have helped us get a lift for our van, a walker, and a handicapped toilet. When our medical insurance said they couldn't help us we didn't know where to go or what to do. The expenses a family has with a disabled child are enormous. Variety stepped in right away and made sure Robbie got what he needed and has made our life much easier. The outings we go on and their camps are wonderful because Handicapped children don't have friends to hang out with like regular kids. These activities make them feel normal and socially are so important. If we ever win the lottery Variety will get a chunk of it because they have always been there for us and are a wonderful and compassionate organization.
I have worked with Variety, the Children's Charity of St. Louis for over 3 years now and I grow more fond of them each year. I mainly help with their Adventure Camp but also volunteer for other events throughout the year. I love playing and having fun with the kids and seeing their faces light up. Variety means everything to a lot of these kids and their families and I completely understand why.
JenP 03/16/2011
Jennifer, thank you so much for your review! (And what an adorable photo of Alex!!) We're so happy we've been able to help. Please call if you need anything else at all. Hope to see your family at the Variety Parade on April 30th!