Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa Announces Over $6.5 Million Raised for the 50th Telethon

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa has raised more than $6.5 million through the 50^th Telethon.

The Variety Telethon has been an institution in Des Moines and throughout the entire state of Iowa, with thousands of volunteers, donors, entertainers, and supporters joining together to raise funds to help Iowa’s children year after year. Over the years, the Variety Telethon has evolved from a 24-hour broadcast into a shorter, televised multi-million-dollar fundraiser that still highlights the many ways Variety helps Iowa’s children. Variety VIPs (Very Interested Persons) and corporate supporters continue to raise funds that support Variety's mission of improving the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs.

The one-hour spotlight program aired on Saturday, March 2 on We Are Iowa – Local 5 ABC. The program highlighted 50 years of impact, recognized some of the key people who helped us along the way, and highlighted how Variety is at work in our community today.

Variety has a history of hitting record-breaking fundraising numbers during milestone years, and this year was no exception.

1984, 10^th Telethon – first time we raised over $1 million
1989, 15^th Telethon – first time we raised over $2 million
1994, 20^th Telethon – first time we raised over $3 million
1999, 25^th Telethon – first time we raised over $4 million
2024, 50^th Telethon – first time we raised over $6 million

“This is an unprecedented fundraising total for Variety,” said Sheri McMichael, Executive Director of Variety – the Children’s Charity. “We wouldn’t be here without the thousands of people who have supported Variety over the years – from answering phones, providing transportation to the cast, calculating numbers, hosting the hospitality room, and reaching out to their networks to solicit donations. It truly takes a village to make this large of an impact, and we are so grateful for everyone who supports Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa.”

About Variety: Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are at risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs. Since the inception of the Telethon in 1975, Variety has raised more than $140 million to support children in need throughout the state. Variety is making a better future for our community by connecting people who care to programs that enable children to reach their full potential.

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