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Our Vision

To be the charity of choice in Manitoba that helps every child in need so they can reach their full potential.

Our Mission

Stepping in where government, healthcare, school divisions, and other funding sources end to provide proven solutions to enrich the lives of children in Manitoba living with special needs and experiencing economic disadvantage.

Our Impact

Alexis

got a compact feeding pump to ease her growth & development.

READ HER STORY »

Brody

got a brand new adaptive tricycle for family bike rides.

READ HIS STORY »

Lisa

has an iPad with Proloquo2Go so she can communicate.

READ HER STORY »

Joshua

can now excel at basketball in his new sport wheelchair.

READ HIS STORY »

Our Core Values

  1. 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.
  2. Compassion – We demonstrate empathy and show a heartfelt passion and desire to help improve the lives of Variety children and their families.
  3. 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

Jeff Liba 

Chief Executive Officer

Email

204-292-9811

Amanda Henry

Director of Family & Community Supports

Email

204-471-0488

Samantha Anderson

Program Coordinator

Email

204-982-1050

Ashley Tavares

Volunteer & Community Event Coordinator

Email

204-999-7973

Kierra Koblun

Data & Youth Coordinator

Email

204-982-1050

 

Board of Directors

 

Executive Committee

Peter MacKenzie – Chairperson
Terence Karacsony – Vice Chairperson
Leilani Kagan – Executive Secretary
Matthew McMillan – Compliance Officer

Committee Chairs

Kyle Hendin – Finance and Audit Committee
Susana Scott – Community Engagement Committee
Matthew McMillan – Governance Committee
Dr. John Ross Bonanni – Programming Committee
Brent Rombough- Camp Brereton Committee

Directors

Nicholas Bergmann
Jennifer Bjarnarson
Doug Dobrowolski
Gerry Loewen

Sub Committee Public Members

Dr. Gerald Brennan
Dion McKay
Tim McKay
Dr. Tara McMillan
Danny Neufeld
Danica Sabourin
Will Slota

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