Anyone with a child who has special needs knows that medicine, equipment and therapies come with hefty pricetags.
But for the Comox Valley Doberstein family, help came from Variety – The Children’s Charity and families all over BC. Their son Max received a wheelchair, and now he wants to help other families like his. For the fifth year in a row, Max is taking part in the Kids Coin Drive for Variety.
“Max and our other Coin Kid champions around B.C. are inspiring a spirit of support and philanthropy,” says Bernice Scholten, Variety’s executive director. “The Coin Drive campaign is an example of the power of families helping families.”
From now until Oct. 31, IGA stores, Marketplace IGA locations and Bank of Montreal branches across the province will display the iconic coin boxes featuring Heartly, Variety’s mascot, and ask customers to support the fundraiser by donating loose change.
Proceeds go towards helping children who have special needs and their families with grants for things like emergency transportation costs to out-of-community hospitals, expensive medications, mobility and communication devices, and therapeutic programs to give them the same chances in life as other children.
Since its inception 10 years ago, this provincewide fundraiser has raised $1.8 million for children in B.C. who have special needs.
Thanks to the generosity of its donors, Variety – The Children’s Charity was able to give the gift of mobility to Max.
“Variety paid for our van conversion,” says his mom Jay. “This is extremely expensive and would have been difficult for us to afford. But it allows me to manoeuvre his heavy wheelchair easily, and gives us the freedom to go anywhere together as a family.”
To support Max, go to variety.bc.ca/coindrive and navigate to his page. You can also contact event co-ordinator Louise Duffy at louise.duffy@variety.bc.ca or call 604-320-0505, ext. 223.
Variety - The Children's Charity raises funds and distributes grants throughout British Columbia to inspire hope, enrich lives and build a better future for children who have special needs. Since 1965, Variety has raised over $170 million.
For more information on how you or your business can fundraise for Variety – The Children’s Charity, visit variety.bc.ca/e4v.htm or call 310-KIDS (5437).
— Variety - The Children's Charity