
Much like the first Variety Tent in Philadelphia, Variety of Eastern
Tennessee was born out of the spirit of helping children. Two
children, Francine and Ryan who happen to be the children of parents
within the entertainment industry, inspired the Eastern Tennessee chapter.
Both children were born with special needs, but they also possess inspiring
spirit and determination to overcome their disabilities.

At left, Ryan. At right, Francine. |
With the help of Regal Cinemas, led by Mike Campbell (Chairman/CEO)
and Greg Dunn (President/COO), Francine and Ryan’s inspiration
culminated in the founding of the Eastern Tennessee chapter (Chapter
81) of Variety in 2001. The Variety organization is a longstanding charity in
the entertainment industry, whose mission is to help
disadvantage or disabled children.
fate plays a hand
In 2002, a third-generation entertainment executive from
Denver moved to Knoxville.
His wife, Dena, had been instrumental at Variety's
Denver chapter following the tragedy at Columbine
High School. She had
assumed the reins of a local radiothon and helped
raise over $800,000 for the new high school library.
As a result of that experience, Dena decided to devote
herself to full-time charity and fundraising work.
So when the new Eastern Tennessee chapter needed
an Executive Director, we had the best of the best
right here, already setting up house in the neighborhood.
Since that fateful year, Chapter 81 has raised over $1,000,000.00 in
direct aid to Eastern Tennessee children who are
either in crisis or otherwise cry out to us in special
need. We have made donations to numerous groups including
Children’s
Hospital, Second Harvest, Boy Scouts of the Smokies,
Imagination Library, American Heart Association and
individuals in need. The charity has
purchased or leased vehicles for groups such as the
Boys and Girls Clubs, Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy
of Riding, Children’s
Hospital and Peninsula Village.
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