Boy on bench Our mission    

Mission Statement

Variety facts

  • Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh was founded in Pittsburgh, PA in 1928 when a baby girl was abandoned in the Sheridan Theatre in East Liberty. 
  • Variety Pittsburgh has the distinct honor of being the founding chapter of Variety International the Children’s Charity, a global organization helping children in crisis worldwide.  Since its inception, Variety International has raised more than $1.5 billion dollars for Variety’s kids.
  • Variety International comprises 50 chapters in 14 countries throughout the world, including chapters in Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, France, Channel Islands, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Barbados and Mexico.  The United States is home to 28 Variety chapters. 
  • Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh is the oldest children’s charity in southwestern Pennsylvania.
  • Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh assists children with mental and physical disabilities and other health challenges, 21 years of age & under, in a ten county area of southwestern Pennsylvania:  Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.

    • swimming boy in wheelchair
  • Every dollar raised in southwestern Pennsylvania stays in southwestern Pennsylvania.
  • Variety the Children’s Charity has been honored internationally for the growth and expansion of its strong range of programs supporting children with disabilities and their families.
  • Since 1996, Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh’s Kids on the Go! Program reached a new level helping 443 children with their special equipment needs totaling more than $1.65 million.
  • Since 1999, Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh has received support totaling more than $1.4 million from national and local community and corporate foundations.
  • More than 505 regional families received assistance from Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh.
  • Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh partners with more than 200 family service agencies, hospitals and schools in the region.