Variety BC Inspire Newsletter - Spring 2018

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Benjamin’s Story - Variety Kids Can!

SPRING 2018

That’s when Variety stepped in and provided the funds necessary so that Ben could receive the services he needs so his development can flourish. And has it ever!

“The best thing Variety’s support has provided for Ben is increased confidence to try the things that are more difficult for him.”

With the funding provided by Variety – made possible by donors like you – Ben is now able to access speech therapy and occupational therapy sessions from the DSRF experts.

Since beginning the program,

Ben with his parents, Ross & Sandra

Born with Down Syndrome, three-year old Benjamin – with the help of Variety – is getting the therapy he needs to develop and flourish. The nationally renowned Down Syndrome Research Foundation (DSRF) in Burnaby offers programs in many areas of development for those with Down Syndrome however Ben’s parents couldn’t afford the cost.

Ben has developed great communication skills and he’s able to sign over 100 words.

While Ben only has three spoken words right now, he does appear to be on the verge of a speech breakthrough and lately he’s been babbling morning to night.

Ben’s low muscle tone has made it difficult for him to have the fine motor strength and dexterity to do something as simple as colour – and we all know how kids love to colour.

After only a few sessions with an occupational therapist, Ben is able to draw lines and scribble. He really loves art

time now and gets very excited when the colouring pages and the markers come out!

Thanks to Variety, Ben has also been able to get orthotics. The low muscle tone experienced by kids like Ben presents a challenge when learning to walk. With the help of his orthotics, Ben went from struggling to stand, to couch cruising, to walking with help, to taking steps on his own.

“We are so grateful to have Variety’s help in accessing all the bridges we need to raise Ben.” - Sandra, Benjamin’s Mom

Doctors refer Connect Hearing more than any other hearing healthcare provider across Canada.

celebrating our successes!

Ainsley was featured on Global BC during Variety Week

It’s been a very busy and exciting year at Variety, packed with fun filled events and milestone achievements. All with the purpose

of enriching the lives of BC children who have special needs. Together, with your support, we’ve been there when BC families have needed us most.

Our GOLD HEART GALA returned on September 30, 2017. Led by Mary Zilba (chair) and Fiona Forbes (co-chair) and presented by Goldcorp, we raised an astonishing $550,000. Over 300 guests came together at the Fairmont Pacific Rim to honour and celebrate noted philanthropists Ian Telfer and Nancy Burke by presenting them with the Gold Heart Award.

Our 2nd Annual VARIETY WEEK, held on Global BC from October 30 to November 3, 2017 raised over $835,000. With our average grant for a child coming in at approximately $2,500, we raised enough money to make a difference for more than 334 kids and their families across BC. Variety’s most well-known event, the SHOW OF HEARTS TELETHON aired live on Global BC on February 11, 2018 from 9:30am to 5:30pm. It was a day full of excitement and entertainment that raised an astounding $5,499,269! The highlight of the show took place when Cally Wesson, Variety BC CEO presented the 600th brand new Sunshine Coach to Michele Aderem, Executive Director of the PACE Program.

The 600th Sunshine Coach

Our ONE NIGHT IN HAVANA Gala was held on April 14, 2018 at the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront. Presented

by Uniserve, the evening featured musical guest, four-time Latin Grammy Award winner, three-time Grammy nominee and two-time JUNO Award winner, Alex Cuba and his band!

Alex Cuba

IN CONNECT HEARING’S WORDS: At Connect Hearing, we understand the importance of keeping all members of the family connected. That’s why it’s our honour to support the vital work Variety does in our communities across the province. Variety’s passion for helping people stay connected is shared by every single Connect Hearing team member, coast to coast.

One of the many reasons Connect Hearing supports Variety is the critical part they play in supporting healthcare expenses for families that need a hand. As the #1 physician referred hearing care provider in the country, we understand the importance of seamless healthcare for family members of all generations.

Hearing plays a pivotal role keeping people socially engaged. Access to the right support - whether a hearing test, or a kids camp - can make all the difference. Frustration is a very common feeling when experiencing the normal effects aging has on our hearing. It’s important to get a baseline hearing test as we age to track the changes that happen over the years. Just like your vision, a test every year is a good medical habit to build.

Together we are here to help families and communities stay connected to their world.

A LIFETIME OF SERVICE AND A LASTING LEGACY MARGARET KURY, beloved wife, proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, veteran, friend to many, gardener, volunteer extraordinaire and philanthropist.

to be well-represented for 32 years with many of the Legion members having volunteered to take pledges at Telethon.”

Born and raised in Maple Ridge, Margaret graduated from Maple Ridge Secondary School in 1958 and went on to join the RCAF Airwomen where she served as a Machine Accounting Operator until 1961. She married and had four sons, Brett, Warren, Todd and Glenn. Margaret was the epitome of the perfect mother … one who was always there for her kids through thick and thin.

A year after being diagnosed with cancer, Margaret insisted that she wanted – and needed – to be part of Variety’s 2017 “Show of Hearts” Telethon.

Despite having difficulty standing, Margaret found the strength and determination to walk out on stage to make her cheque presentation live on air. “This was the true testament of what Mom was all about,” said her eldest son, Brett. “She would give and give and give with no thought or concern for herself … even in the most dire of conditions.”

Margaret was also an incredibly active volunteer … so much so that she was bestowed with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, received the Maple Ridge Community Foundation’s “Citizen of the Year” Award and was honoured with a Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.

Additionally she earned both the Royal Canadian Legion’s Life Membership and Meritorious Service Medal for Outstanding Service. “From a personal standpoint, I was pleased to work with Margaret as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 88 Executive,” said the Legion’s Branch President Jim MacDonald. “The work done by Variety was always front and centre with her. Each year she would make a cheque presentation from our Branch for a Sunshine Coach and then quickly change jackets to present a personal cheque on behalf of her family. She made sure that our Branch continued

UNISERVE ‘SHARES THE LOVE’ We’re excited to announce that One Night in Havana presenters, Uniserve Communications Corp. (Uniserve) will be launching a year-long “Share the Love” charity fundraising project. The campaign will engage with Uniserve’s 13,000 residential and business customers across the country.

Sadly, Margaret passed away on August 6, 2017.

We were honoured to discover that she left a bequest of $100,000 to Variety BC. We will miss Margaret and all of the hard work that she put into organizing volunteers and raising money for Telethon every year but her bequest will be put to good use helping Variety kids live full and rewarding lives.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Margaret from all of us at Variety and from all of the families that you did so much to help. Your dedication and generosity will forever be an inspiration.

“Uniserve’s business is all about connecting people, places and things … a business that has proudly been providing services to BC and Alberta customers for 30 years with telecommunications, media and technology,” said Nicholas Jeffery, Uniserve CEO. “We were thrilled to sponsor Variety at its major Gala event and will continue to support them throughout the year. Variety - the Children’s Charity compliments beautifully the support we have already been providing to our other major charity, the SOS Children’s Village BC.”

Kathy and Nathan’s Story Nathan sit-skiing at Mount Washington

WHY KATHY GIVES MONTHLY My name is Kathy. I am retired and recently moved to Squamish.

As a young woman, I wanted to become an Occupational Therapist and work with children with physical challenges. While I did study OT, I ended up spending most of my working years in adult mental health.

My studies in Occupational Therapy gave me an understanding of the importance of early intervention. I also learned how expensive specialized equipment and assistive devices can be. It was not until a member of my extended family needed the support of Variety that I became a monthly donor though.

Nathan was born to my daughter-in-law’s sister.

He was born early and there had been a period of oxygen deprivation. He needed a lot of help to survive in his early weeks and doctors painted a very bleak picture of what his life might be like. Once discharged from the hospital, Nathan received early intervention at the Child Development Centre in Nanaimo which receives funding from Variety. When he needed a support to stabilize his trunk, Variety funded that.

Many people think that all of the treatment and specialized equipment that children require will be provided by the provincial health plan, but that is not always the case. Leg braces, wheelchairs, walkers … all of this equipment costs money. As

a parent, I can’t imagine how hard it would be if I couldn’t afford something that would help my child reach his full potential. How nice that parents can apply to Variety for funding! I am glad that by contributing every month, I can help Variety provide that funding. It’s so easy for the donor to have payments taken automatically each month and Variety knows that they will have income throughout the year.

“As a parent, I can’t imagine how hard it would be if I couldn’t afford something that would help my child reach his full potential.”

Nathan is now in school and continuing to make great progress. It’s always good to see the updates on Facebook - bowling, bicycling, sitskiing at Mount Washington. Thanks for helping him get started on a wonderful journey, Variety!

become a monthly donor today by calling 1.800.381.2040 or visiting variety.bc.ca for more info. Thank you!

Variety - the Children’s Charity 4300 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6C6 Toll free: 1.800.381.2040 Office: 604.320.0505 Registered Charity #108168709

variety.bc.ca

@varietybc.ca @VarietyBC @VarietyBC