Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert Gives You and Our Kids the Best Odds to Win!
By Lisa Morgan
If you’ve been to the beautiful Mary Pickford Movie Theater in Cathedral City lately, you’ll have seen that brand new Ford C MAX Hybrid from Palm Springs Ford sitting out front just waiting for someone to put the keys in it and drive off. The very decorated vehicle is up for raffle, and with the purchase of just one $10 raffle ticket, you have a 1 in 5000 chance of winning it. That’s better odds than the lottery or casino! Meanwhile, your contributions go to support an organization that is meeting the urgent needs of our desert’s underprivileged children.
Their Mission Statement: “Variety the Children’s Charity of the Desert, is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children who are underprivileged and/or have special needs in the Coachella Valley. Through hard work, thoughtful stewardship, and single-minded focus on the needs of the young, Variety strives to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, their families, our community, and the world… one need at a time.”
Their website that contains the compelling story of how this national 501c3 organization got its start over 85 years ago:
“THE GIVING STARTED IN 1928, WITH ONE BABY On Christmas Eve in 1928, a baby girl was found on a seat at the Sheridan Square Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A note pinned to her dress read:
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 people and pray to God that you will look out for her.” (signed) ‘A Heartbroken Mother’
When all efforts by the police and local newspapers failed to locate her parents, a group of eleven gentlemen affiliated with the entertainment industry agreed to financially underwrite the child’s support and education. Just one year prior, these men had rented a small club room in the William Penn Hotel and created a social club, aptly named ‘Variety’ given that the members encompassed various branches in show business. The child was then named Catherine Variety Sheridan, her middle name for the club and her last name for the theatre. The Variety club legacy continues now into the 21st century, existing for one reason – to help children in need.”
Todd Marker (Owner/CEO Marker Broadcasting) shared how he came to be part of the giving. “Variety is the charity that takes care of some of the most underprivileged children in the desert. About 15 years ago the charity came to our country station, KPLM 106, to do some radio spots. Over the years we raised over 1 million dollars for them so I thought I’d take a look and see where the money’s going. I saw the good that they were doing and how, as a group, Variety sees that kids are our future, and they give these kids a chance. There are all kinds of causes we (the radio group) like to help out, but children’s charities are the ones we really have a heart for.” Marker’s actions stand behind those words as he has now been elected President of our local chapter.
Chuck Baum, Senior Account Manager at Lamar Advertising and newly appointed Second Vice President of the local charity shared why he finds serving for this organization so rewarding. “The reason why I got involved with Variety in the first place, was due to the fact that they help LOCAL needy kids. Not having kids of my own, I find it very rewarding to help the little ones in need. Better yet, all monies that are donated to the local Variety Tent stay here in the Valley – a very important part of my decision to get involved!”
With the purchase of a $10 Variety Ticket to Ride Car raffle ticket, you immediately get your monies worth. Not only do all the proceeds go to benefit their kids, you get:
1) 25% OFF AT TILTED KILT in PALM DESERT
2) A FREE EXTERIOR CAR WASH AT CATHEDRAL CITY CAR WASH
3) A BUY ONE GET ONE FREE COUPON FOR DOMINO’S PIZZA
4) COLD STONE CREAMERY COUPON FOR 2 CREATIONS FOR ONLY $6.00
5) FREE 46 OUNCE POPCORN AT MARY PICKFORD MOVIE THEATER
6) THE WORKS OIL CHANGE FOR ONLY 19.95 AT PALM SPRINGS FORD
7) COUPON FOR A DESERT DINING CARD: ONLY $24.95 THAT WILL SAVE YOU 30% TO 50% AT RESTAURANTS AROUND TOWN.
These valuable raffle tickets are available for purchase at the Mary Pickford Theater in Cathedral City, at the Tilted Kilt in Palm Desert or online at www.varietyofthedesert.org. I suggest you hurry and secure your opportunity to win as the person writing this article already has 5 in 5,000 chances to win, and plans on making those odds even better in the very near future. Only 5,000 tickets will be sold before Variety awards me…I mean to say…”the winner” that very smart new car.
For more information regarding the organization and for information that might help you consider becoming part of this important effort, call Variety at (760) 773-9800
Variety would like to thank their advertising sponsors: CBS LOCAL 2, KESQ TV 3, TELEMUNDO TV 15, BIG 106, JAMMIN 99.5, KJAZZ 102.3, 95.9 OASIS, LAMAR BILLBOARDS, MIX 100.5, 98.5 KDES.
