Each year Variety gives much-needed funding to children and their families throughout the province through individual grants and the Emergency Response Fund.
Each year, Variety receives more than 1,300 requests for financial assistance for medical emergencies, therapies, specialized equipment, prescriptions, out-of-town accommodation, meals and travel costs.
This year you can make a difference in someone's life by making a contribution to Variety during the the seventh annual Variety Radiothon on June 22.
Prince George radio stations the Wolf 97 FM and 94X will broadcast the radiothon program and Variety hopes to raise as much money as possible during the event.
"Last year we raised $45,000," said Carla Jones, director of media and communications for Variety. "We never set a target but we always hope to be somewhere around that area. It just depends on the economy and how generous people are feeling that day,"
The difference to Variety radiothon's is that all of the money raised will stay in Prince George.
"Normally with charities, what is raised doesn't usually stay there, but with radiothons it absolutely does. It helps us support organizations like the Deaf Childrens's Society, the Child Development Centre, the Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Family Focus Society," said Jones.
Variety also provides one-on-one support to children that require help. It's estimated that last year, 75 children became a part of the Variety family and were supplied with medication, hearing aids, van ramps or even specialized wheelchairs or specially-modified bicycles.
"Giving a child a chance to be a kid and go out and play with their friends. They really warm your heart," said Jones.
"We certainly give more than we get in the Prince George area, not that that's a bad thing," said Jones, estimating that Variety gave away $85,000 last year in our community.
"We become part of their programming for two days," said Jones.
The broadcast will also give the community a chance to hear about families that have been helped by Variety.
"They really explain how Variety fits in with the picture of Prince George," said Jones.
We are really just hopeful that Prince George is able and willing to give. We have no doubt that Prince George understands the impact that Variety has... We also understand that times can be tough, but the need never goes away. We have got more requests than ever and we don't like turning people away. Variety is generally the last resort for families when they've tried everywhere else, [and] this is their final phone call and their final hope. We can spend whatever we are given," said Jones.
Variety holds more than 200 special events every year. The major events include the Annual Variety Show of Hearts Telethon and Kids Coin Drive for Variety.
Both radio stations, The Prince George Citizen, Canfor Pulp Products Ltd. and the Sheraton Hotel are sponsors of the event.
To make a pledge during the Variety Radiothon please can call 250-562-3697.
