Variety-the Children's Charity is dedicated
to improving the lives of underprivileged,
at-risk and special needs children throughout Iowa
to improving the lives of underprivileged,
at-risk and special needs children throughout Iowa
Telethon 2011 - March 5 & 6!
The 36th annual Variety Telethon was held at the Polk County Convention Complex, 5th & Grand, Des Moines, Iowa and broadcast on abc5 - WOI TV and abc9 - KCAU TV, Sioux City. Our 24th annual Eastern Iowa Variety Telethon was held in March. We will be on air during the morning, midday and evening news broadcasts on KWWL-channel 7. Volunteers will take calls at the KWWL studios in Waterloo and the Alliant Tower in Cedar Rapids.
Variety's first telethon in 1975 raised $150,000 and went to one grant recipient, Blank Children's Hospital. Now 36 years later, Variety has raised over $70 million that has been granted to agencies serving children across the State of Iowa and have put over 300 Sunshine Coaches on the road transporting children to new adventures. Thanks to the cast members, volunteers and donors who support Variety during Telethon and throughout the year, Variety is able to raise the much needed funds for Iowa's Children.
VIP's - Very Interested Person - Team Members agree to try and raise a minimum of $2,500 each. This can be accomplished by obtaining pledges, checks or cash prior to the Telethon. Or may be pledges as a personal donation. Mastercard and Visa are acceptable methods of payment. Larger pledges do not have to be paid in one lump sum. Each VIP Team Member is encouraged to sit on the phones for one hour during the Telethon. You may still be a VIP even if you are unable to appear during the Telethon.
Phone Panels - Support the Telethon by providing on air phone bank coverage with 25 or 50 employees, their friends or adult family members. Anyone willing to try to raise the minimum $52 is welcome to be a part of your team. The goal as a phone bank is to raise $5,200 before you appear on the telethon.
Sample Pledge Letters: click here for New Pledge Letter uploads/doc/sample_new_pledge_letter1.doc
click here for Pledge Renewal Letter uploads/doc/sample_renewal_letter1.doc
If you or your company would like to be involved with the Telethon please contact the Variety Office at 515-243-4660 or email stateoffice@varietyiowa.com . For the Eastern Iowa Telethon contact Kim McDowell at 319-369-7806 or email eioffice@varietyiowa.com.
It takes numerous volunteers to make the Telethon a success. Attached is a list and descriptions for volunteer opportunities at Telethon. Volunteer Descriptions: Download volunteerdescrip.doc