Variety sponsors a number of important programs for children in Eastern Tennessee, some of which are highlighted below. If you'd like more information on any of these programs, please call us at 865-925-9906 or email us at carol.fusco@varietytn.org

KIDS ON THE GO!

We have learned that what special-needs kids want most is to be active members of their communities. Disabled children need what many of us take for granted: access. As a fundamental part of Variety's national initiative, Kids on the Go! will allow children with physical challenges the freedom to explore the world by providing grants to local individuals and organizations for mobility equipment.

Through Variety's Kids on the Go!, we intend to foster independence in special-needs children by supplying them with prosthetic limbs, walkers, wheelchairs, specially-designed adaptive bikes and other devices, including home and vehicular ramps. We are slowly expanding this program to target areas in which disabled, disadvantaged children have few or no other options to obtain the mobility equipment they so desperately need. Variety Kids on the Go! will introduce these children to horizons they had only been able to imagine.

Pictured above: Hanna on her special Bike

ZOO DAY

In cooperation with other Knoxville agencies, Variety sponsors a Day at the Knoxville Zoo for up to a hundred children and their families.

We provide free Variety tee-shirts, a full lunch for everyone and all kinds of photo opportunities.

It's a wonderful way for Knoxville children and families to enjoy an outing together at one of the country's most fun and respected zoos.

READ IT AND SEE IT

This program offers students the unique opportunity to read a book and then see a free screening of the filmed version. Since the program's 2005 launch, five movies have been screened for thousands of Knoxville students

Variety and The Scripps Foundation purchase copies of the books for students in targeted low income Knox County schools to read before the screening. Children who read the book and then complete an essay are invited to the screening. Variety, the Regal Foundation and other corporate sponsors pay for admission tickets.

C.S. Lewis' novel is a highly creative and inspiring tale. That's why we chose The Chronicles of Narnia for our first "Read It and See It" program. "We are partnering with terrific groups such as The Scripps Foundation and Regal Foundation to inspire young people to read and reward them with a first class trip to the theatre to see a brand new movie", said Dena Pinsker, Executive Director of Variety of Eastern Tennessee.

OTHER SCREENINGS

In addition, Variety hosts a number of other screenings throughout the year for children with special needs. For example, the Tennessee School for the Deaf and Knox County Schools' deaf students were treated to an open caption screening of the Disney and Pixar film "The Incredibles" at Regal Cinemas' Knoxville Center Stadium 10. Prizes, gifts, popcorn and soda were provided to all students who attended the screening.

Pictured above: Randy Smith, Variety past president, with Lindsey Towne and Blake Goins

VARIETY HOLIDAY PARTY

We also give a special holiday party each year for 300 children at Regal's Knoxville Center. We serve everyone breakfast, give out gifts, show a movie and take Polaroids of the children with Santa.

Pictured above: Santa and Mrs. Claus at Variety of Eastern Tennessee's Holiday Party

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