named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
M P Caroll Hardwood Cruise Night at Variety
Weekly community event held at the Variety Club headquarters featuring food, music, and raffles to raise funds for children in need.
Variety Kids Telethon
Annual televised fundraising event that has supported children's health services in Western New York since 1962, raising funds for Oishei Children’s Hospital and other local children’s charities.
Variety Night with the Buffalo Bisons
Annual fundraising event at Sahlen Field where proceeds from ticket sales support the Variety Kids Telethon mission.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Community Event Fundraising 2 activities
- Operating a banquet facility to generate program supportGenerates financial support for children’s programs through rental of its banquet facility at Samuel’s Grande Manor, leveraging event revenue for local impact.
- Organizing community fundraising eventsHosts recurring public events including M P Caroll Hardwood Cruise Night, Food Truck Wednesday at Samuel’s Grande Manor, and Variety Night with the Buffalo Bisons at Sahlen Field to generate financial support for children in need.
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Fundraising and Financial Support for IDD Services 1 activity
- Awarding grants to children's nonprofits in Western New YorkProvides grant funding to dozens of local nonprofit organizations serving children in Western New York, ensuring all proceeds from fundraising remain in the region to support children facing illness, disability, or disadvantage.
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Event and Production Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Engaging volunteers in operations and eventsRecruits and organizes volunteers for event staffing, raffle ticket sales, office support, and telethon operations, reaching full volunteer capacity for the 2026 Variety Kids Telethon.
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Pediatric Medical Care and Research Support 1 activity
- Funding rehabilitation centers and specialized hospital departmentsProvided initial and ongoing funding to establish and support the Robert Warner MD Center for Children with Special Needs and the Variety Tent #7/Robert Warner MD Rehabilitation Center at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo (now Golisano Children’s Hospital), directing telethon proceeds toward these facilities.
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Adaptive Equipment Provision 1 activity
- Providing equipment and programs for children with special needsSupplies adaptive equipment such as bikes, medical supplies, and program funding directly to organizations serving children with special needs in Western New York, with all donations channeled to local programs and equipment.
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Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Sponsoring camperships for children at Cradle Beach Summer CampAnnually sponsors 50 camperships for children ages 8–16 to attend Cradle Beach Summer Camp in Angola, NY, providing access to recreational and therapeutic summer programming.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Hosting the Annual Variety Kids TelethonOrganizes and broadcasts the Annual Variety Kids Telethon across multiple television stations and days each March to raise funds for children with special needs in Western New York. The 64th edition was held in March 2026.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.08M
Contributions & grants$767K71%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$13K1%
Other revenue$301K
expenses
Total expenses$1.07M
Program expenses50%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising31%
Salaries & benefits$191K
Grants paid out$484K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$884K
Cash$627K
Investments$0
Liabilities$499K
Net assets$384K
Liquid reserves7.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +9.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JESSICA L RITCH | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $53K |
| RICHARD GOLDSTEIN | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $38K |
| SALLY SCHUEKLER | CANVASSMAN/FINANCE SPECIAL | 1 | $36K |
| CHERYL DONNER | CANVASSMAN | 1 | $18K |
board members · 21
- BILL SIMON — CONTROLLER
- BOB KLEIN — CANVASSMAN
- BRAD GAWRON — 1ST ASST. VP
- CAROL MCMAHON — CANVASSMAN
- CINDY SIMON — SECRETARY
- DAWN RAISER — CANVASSMAN
- DEBBIE MEACHAM — CANVASSMAN
- DENNIS ADOLF — CANVASSMAN
- DIANE KUCIEL — CANVASSMAN
- DON RAISER — CANVASSMAN
- FRANK LIGNOS — 2ND ASST. VP
- JENNA VACCARO — CANVASSMAN
- JOHN DISCIULLO — CANVASSMAN
- JUDY DECKER — CANVASSMAN
- KATHY KAMINSKI — CANVASSMAN
- LARRY TABER — CANVASSMAN
- LEAH RAISER — ASSISTANT COMPTROLLER
- PAUL CAMBRIA — PRESIDENT (FORMER)
- RICH ZAVARELLA — CANVASSMAN
- ROSE DIPAOLA — CANVASSMAN
- TONY VACCARO — PRESIDENT (CURRENT)
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Buffalo Bisons Partner — Collaborates with the Buffalo Bisons to host Variety Night at Sahlen Field.
- Buffalo Bisons Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Channel 2 Partner — Partnered with Variety Buffalo to launch the Variety Kids Telethon in 1962.
- Coca Cola Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Cradle Beach Summer Camp Partner — Partner organization hosting campers sponsored by the Variety Camping Program.
- Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo Partner — Primary beneficiary of funds raised by the Children's Rehabilitation Foundation for programs and equipment supporting children with special needs.
- JCC of Buffalo Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- KeyBank Center Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Lawley Insurance Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- M P Caroll Hardwood Partner — Sponsors and participates in weekly Cruise Night events at Variety Club.
- Northwest Bank Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Oishei Children's Hospital Partner — Beneficiary of Telethon funding and collaborative partner in supporting children's health services.
- Pepsi Buffalo Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Samuel’s Grande Manor Partner — Hosts Food Truck Wednesday fundraiser events to raise money for children.
- Seneca Nation of Indians Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Variety Club of Buffalo and Western NY Network — CHILDREN'S REHABILITATION FOUNDATION OF THE VARIETY CLUB OF BUFFALO INC operates as part of the Variety Club network.
- Variety Club of Buffalo and Western NY Network — CHILDREN'S REHABILITATION FOUNDATION OF THE VARIETY CLUB OF BUFFALO INC operates as part of the Variety Club of Buffalo and Western NY network.
- Variety-The Children’s Charity of Buffalo & WNY Network — Operates as the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation of the Variety Club of Buffalo under the broader Variety network.
- WBBZ Partner — Broadcast partner for the Variety Kids Telethon.
- WBBZ Partner — Television broadcast partner for the Variety Kids Telethon.
- WGRZ Partner — Broadcast partner for the Variety Kids Telethon.
- WGRZ Partner — Television broadcast partner for the Variety Kids Telethon.
- WGRZ, Channel 2 Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Wegman’s Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs for children in the community
- Wildermuth Memorial Foundation Funder — Provides grant funding to the organization.
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo Partner — Hosted the Robert Warner MD Center for Children with Special Needs established with support from Variety Buffalo.
- World's Oldest Children's Charity Network — Member of an international network of children's charities.
- children’s agencies Partner — Organizations that receive adaptive bikes from the Variety Mobility Program for distribution to children with special needs.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Adaptive Recreation for Therapy and Inclusionmethodology: adaptive_recreation_for_therapyBy providing adaptive bikes to children with special needs, the organization supports physical therapy and social-emotional development because inclusive recreational tools enable therapeutic progress and enhance dignity through participation.
- Local Reinvestment Modelmethodology: local_reinvestmentBy raising funds locally and ensuring all donations remain within Western New York, the organization produces sustained support for children’s health and development services because community-embedded funding increases accountability, trust, and direct impact.
- Volunteer and Member Mobilizationmethodology: member_driven_volunteer_mobilizationBy engaging members and volunteers in fundraising, events, and governance, the organization sustains operations and amplifies community impact because sustained personal involvement fosters long-term donor commitment and program capacity.