Variety of Orlando is part of an international charity organization
whose premier function is to raise money for children-in-need. Founded
in 1928 and as its name suggests, its origin was in show business
and for much of the over 72 year history - it was indeed a children's
charity organized from the ranks of the show business world. Variety
International has over 50 individual clubs and thousands of members
worldwide. Today, it's stage is the world and while the entertainment
industry still figures prominently in its activities, a world of people
from all occupations comprise it's officers and members.
. . . It was Christmas Eve 1927 and a little baby girl was found abandoned
at the Sheridan Square Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania along with
a paper parcel containing five clean diapers. A note attached to the
package read: "Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine.
I can no longer take care of her, I have eight others. She was born
on Thanksgiving day. I have heard of the goodness of show business
and I pray to God you will look out for her." - A Heartbroken
Mother
It was more than a year before that historic Christmas Eve that
a group of 11 men had formed a social club called The Variety Club
- an appropriate name as they were all involved in the entertainment
business.
The Variety Club then pledged that their mission from that day
was to help underprivileged and handicapped children. The baby was
named Catherine Variety Sheridan and their spirit grew to over 50
clubs in 14 countries around the world.
Founded by the people in show business, Variety International has
long and deservedly been characterized as "The Heart of Show
Business."
. . . The nomenclature adopted for the clubs and elected officers
stems from the first banquet held by the original Variety Club of
Pittsburgh in 1928, when it was one year old. Expecting some 35
persons to attend, they rented a small room in the William Penn
Hotel. A few days before the event, it became evident there would
be over 75 in attendance - but the only other room available that
day - on Armistice Day- was a three-story-high ballroom which held
1100 persons. So that the Variety guests would not be lost in their
surrounds, the Club erected a circus tent in the ballroom and added
circus acts and side shows, peanuts and pink lemonade.
A Pittsburgh newspaper artist, designing the front cover of the
menu, made a sketch depicting a typical mustachioed circus barker
wearing a frocked coat, plaid vest, and high silk hat. The drawing
became the official insignia of the club and the members officially
adopted the circus appellations.
The individual Variety Tents elect their own officers annually.
The Clubs are known as "Tents". The members are "Barkers".
The officers are those of: "Chief Barker" (President),
"1st through 6th Assistant Chief Barkers" (Vice Presidents),
"Dough Guy" (Treasurer), "Property Master" (Secretary),
"Fixer" (Attorney), and the "Crew" (the Board
of Directors).
Variety International holds International Conventions in key cities
of the world which are generally attended by more than 1,000 Barkers.
All phases of Variety's operations are discussed and ideas interchanged
between the tents. "The Barker" magazine (a bi-annual
publication) published by the international office, informs the
membership and the public about the broad spectrum of Variety activities
worldwide.
Non-members may support the good works of Variety through contributions
to the Sunshine Coach, Heart Fund Donations, Lifeline and Limb Bank
Programs.
Orlando Variety of Orlando was founded in 1989, by Donna Draves
and Connie Ginakes for the purpose of helping the "special
needs" children of Central Florida.
Tent # 65 was our sponsor and mentor. Our club is an organization
of all volunteers who understand the great feeling that helping
a child gives you - the reward of knowing that because of your efforts
- a child's life will be better.
Our Orlando Tent raises money during the year through the sale
of our Gold Heart Pins and doing fund-raising events like our annual
Gold Heart Ball and Halloween Murder Mystery. This money supports
programs like our Variety at Work (working hands-on with kids),
giving monetary contributions to our local "Variety" charities
and assisting with the FORD sponsored Sunshine Coach Program (giving
Ford 15 passenger Vans to local children's charities).
Variety Orlando is about raising money, working with kids "hands-on"
and having FUN doing it. We invite you to share in our efforts with
your money, your imagination, your energy and your HEART. You will
be glad you did!
Thank you for your help - from the children we serve.
Young people, ages 16-35, actively participate in their own projects
and assist with all Variety events as members of Young Variety.
This organization provides a "training ground" for tomorrow's
full-fledged Variety Club members.
In 1989, Marsha Rae Ratcliff (a past President of Variety Club
in London, England) wrote a story about a doll names Rosie Rags
who saved a sick young girl's life. It became a world-wide fund-raising
project selling the dolls, storybooks and cassette tapes. Nani adorned
in the costume of Rosie Rags plays with the children at all our
events for kids.
Members of the Young Variety focus on several organizations within
the community. They hold membership mixers consisting of a themed
dinner at the various members' residences where all those attending
bring items of clothing and household goods to be donated to the
local women and children's shelters, they prepare meals and participate
in sporting events and at the local children's homes, they hold
car washes in order to raise money and participate in events held
by the Variety tent. Overall, this organization aims at having FUN
while assisting others. We are always looking for energetic and
enthusiastic individuals to join our efforts. Call to Join - Nani
at 407.896.4249
Good Fellowship means when accounting
Man's worth when his busy life ends,
Not by dollars and cents do we judge him,
But by the number and worth of friends.
Variety claims you as brother,
Be loyal through thick and through thin,
Then on the list of life's lasting friendships,
Be sure to count each member in.
View our 2006 Form 990 in PDF format. Requires Adobe
Acrobat.
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