About Us
To be the premiere children’s charity in Manitoba that raises sustainable funds to provide help and hope to children of all abilities, one child at a time.
Our Mission
Stepping in where government, healthcare, and other funding ends to provide direct assistance to children in Manitoba living with special needs and experiencing economic disadvantage.
Our Impact
Our Core Values
- Collaboration- We work together with other partners in the community to ensure the needs of Variety children are met in the most efficient and timely manner possible.
- Compassion – We demonstrate empathy and show a heartfelt passion and desire to help improve the lives of Variety children and their families.
- Inclusion- We strive to create a world where all children play, learn and live together and are provided equal opportunity.
History
One evening in 1927, a group of 11 theatre owners and showmen in Pittsburgh heard whimpering outside their door. Upon investigating, they discovered a one month-old baby girl to whom her mother had pinned a note:
“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 after her.”
Proud that this mother had entrusted her precious child to them, the club members set out to raise money for Catherine’s care. The members found themselves inundated with help from those inspired by Catherine’s story, and the so-named Variety Club evolved into a charity in 1928 to help other disadvantaged and orphaned children. Today, Variety, the Children’s Charity has a network of 45 offices in 14 countries. Variety Manitoba, established in 1978, operates with a volunteer board of directors, dedicated volunteers, and a small staff in support of children of all abilities in Manitoba.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Lisa Cefali – Chair / President
Peter MacKenzie – Vice President
Brant Harvey – Legal Council
Sheena Roscoe – Treasurer
Committee Chairs
Peter MacKenzie – Community Engagement Committee
Terence Karacsony – Finance and Audit Committee
Niall Nazarko – Governance Committee
Dr. John Ross Bonanni – Programming Committee
Directors
Jennifer Laviolette-Carniel
Dan Chubey
Doug Dobrowolski
Gerry Loewen
Yaffa Ludwig
Danica Sabourin
Susana Scott
Sub Committee Public Members
Dr. Gerald Brennan
John Delaney
Dennis Dyck
Jane Hunt
Chris Lacasse
Dion McKay
Brenda Tessler
Natalie van Rosmalen
Rod Whitfield