K
illeen resident, Leslie Gilmore has made a career out of sharing her heart with children. After college this former graduate of Killeen High School, returned to Killeen Independent School District to teach before becoming the district’s communication director. In 2002-2006, she also worked as the coordinator for school programs at Peaceable Kingdom. Recently however, Leslie has returned to Peaceable Kingdom to fulfill an even larger role, as its new executor director. “It was hard to leave KISD, I loved my job. But this has been such an amazing opportunity, I just couldn’t pass it up. Children are a big piece of my heart and combined with Peaceable Kingdom’s mission to empower children with special needs, it’s a perfect fit for me. Not only do I get to work with children, but I get to help this wonderful organization grow and thrive so we can serve as many children as possible,” says Leslie. Jim and Daurice Bowmer of Temple first established Peaceable Kingdom in 1984 as a fishing retreat for chronically ill children and their families in memory of their 11 month old grandson, who died from a heart ailment. Residing on 120 beautiful acres south of Killeen along the Lampasas River, Peaceable Kingdom offers four comfortable homes for overnight guests, a large game room, 72 seat theater, miniature golf, swimming pool, fishing, dinosaur tracks, a sports court, and 2.5 miles of nature trails. Guess can enjoy a wide range of activities, including archery, hi-lo ropes course-staffed by certified instructors, arts and crafts, and an abundance of outdoor nature related activities. In 2012, Peaceable Kingdom merged with the nonprofit Dallas-based Variety-The Children’s Charity of Texas to enhance their sustainability and continue their shared vision and mission to provide a variety of assistance, services, and programs to children with special needs. Today, the Peaceable Kingdom operates full-time to serve more than 5,000 children annually through their environmental education-based field trips, weekend retreats and summer camps.
“The Variety Club” because they represented multiple facets within the entertainment business. The club received its official charter from the State of Pittsburgh on October 18, 1928. However, a few months later on Christmas Eve 1928, the manager of the Sheridan Square Theatre in Pittsburgh found an infant abandoned in the theatre. The baby girl had a note pinned to her clothing: “Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business and I pray to God that you will look out for her. — A Heart-Broken Mother”
When the mothers could not be found, the Variety Club members agreed to act as her “Godfathers,” underwriting her support and education. In honor of the Variety Club and the Sheridan Theatre, the baby was named “Catherine Variety Sheridan.” When news spread about Variety’s founding fathers caring for the abandoned infant it inspired more donations than any one child could ever need or use. The Variety decided to use the extra clothes, food, money and toys that were donated to help other disadvantaged children. From this humble beginning this small group of dedicated individuals has grown into a multinational children’s charity. Over the years, Variety has been honored with the generous support of some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry, including Cary Grant, Barbara (Mrs. Frank) Sinatra, Frank Sinatra, HSH Princess Grace of Monaco, Gregory Peck, Burt Reynolds, Carol Channing, George Burns. Variety believes every child with special needs deserves to reach their potential regardless of their social or physical limitations. By providing funding for therapy, wheelchairs, walkers, specially designed adaptive bicycles, vehicle modification for wheelchair accessibility, prosthetic limbs, life experiences like throwing out the first pitch at a major league baseball game, or even going to the movies for the first time, Variety aims to strengthen not only a child’s physical abilities, but their confidence as well. Today there are over 52 chapters in 14 countries and Variety reaches communities across the nation and globe to offer financial assistance and services directly to children and organizations who serve children with special needs. Variety the Children’s Charity of Texas is dedicated to empowering children with special needs throughout Texas.
… Peaceable Kingdom’s
mission to empower children with special needs, it’s a perfect fit for me.
History of Variety Variety the Children’s Charity of Texas originated “for the love of a baby” 86 years ago. On October 10, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a group of 11 young men—all affiliated with show business met at the William Penn Hotel for the first meeting of their newly formed social club. The young men decided to the name the social club,
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