A charity that supports children with special needs is experiencing soaring demand even as its fundraising efforts are curtailed due to COVID-19 public health restrictions.
Variety – the Children’s Charity is a B.C. organization that supports families with special needs children by assisting with medical expenses and services that aren’t otherwise covered by public health care.
Since January, requests for assistance have doubled as families have to support their children more intensively due to public health restrictions, and the demand continues to rise, said the charity’s CEO, Cally Wesson.
“Variety is a last resort charity, meaning if we cannot help there is nowhere else to turn. The situation has become dire because all of our fundraising events have been cancelled and fundraising is impacted by the pandemic.”
Currently, the charity assists 1,000 children across B.C. and 300 more are waiting for support, Wesson said.
Next Wednesday, June 24, Variety will be celebrating Mobility Day to promote inclusivity and raise money, including on the Sunshine Coast.
“We’ve given out grants on the Sunshine Coast, anywhere from $2,500 to $50,000 for a van. It really depends on what the child needs,” said Wesson, adding the charity has “done a lot on the Sunshine Coast,” as more young families move here. Since 2008, Variety has distributed 227 grants to 164 local children.
That includes Ethan, a six-year-old Halfmoon Bay resident with nemaline myopathy, a neuromuscular disorder that affects muscle control. As part of the Mobility Day celebrations, the charity will be presenting him with an adaptive bike.
The charity has previously assisted his family in the purchase of wheelchair accessories, orthotics and a ceiling track. “We’ve helped Ethan several times in his life. That’s a cool connection,” said Wesson, who is based in Gibsons. “It’s quite exciting to give out a bike in my own home community.”
This year’s virtual presentation will be streamed live on Facebook Live through the charity’s Facebook Page and will include a virtual concert with country music band The Washboard Union. The presentation will occur at 1 p.m. at Ethan’s home.
To help Variety reach their fundraising goal of $10,000, donations can be made at variety.bc.ca or. An automatic donation of $20 can also be made using a text messaging service. Type the word “KIDS” in a text message to the following number: 45678. Money raised in communities stays local.
Link to access the presentation: www.facebook.com/variety.bc.ca/
