Variety Telethon

In 1975, four businessmen came up with a plan to raise dollars to help Iowa's children. Stanley J. Reynolds, Steve Blank, Ray Johnson, and Mike Reilly created a locally produced Telethon to rally support around children’s needs in the community. The first annual Telethon aired that year and raised $151,000 to provide medical equipment to a local hospital.

 

The Telethon is the foundation Variety was built upon and is the highlight of each year. Since the inception of the Telethon in 1975, Variety has raised more than $140+ million for Iowa’s children. For the first 46 years, the Variety Telethon lasted 16-24 hours and hosted a line-up of local and international celebrities who appeared on-air, along with thousands of corporate volunteers and donors who pledged their ongoing time and support to Iowa’s children.

Watch the 2024 Telethon Spotlight Special
Telethon Founders

 

Since then, the Variety Telethon has evolved into a one-hour, televised multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign that still highlights the many ways Variety helps Iowa’s children. Variety VIPs (Very Interested Persons) and corporate supporters continue to raise funds that will support Variety's five programs:

  • Grant Program – Variety awards funding to children’s nonprofits annually. In 2024, 81 nonprofits helping children in Iowa received Variety grants.
  • Mobility – In 2024 Variety provided over 100 custom pieces of mobility equipment to children with special needs and awarded over 800 traditional bikes to underprivileged children.
  • Variety Vans – Over the last 40 years, more than 400 Variety Vans have been granted to children’s nonprofits in Iowa.
  • Variety Star Playgrounds – To date, Variety has built three inclusive playgrounds and supported many others, so children of all abilities can experience the joy of a playground.
  • The Compassion Fund – Countless children and families experiencing long hospital stays have received financial assistance from the Variety Compassion Fund

 

For 51 years, Iowans have joined together to contribute their time, talent, and hearts to the Variety Telethon and have collectively raised over $140 million to impact Iowa’s children. 

 

This year's Variety Telethon fundraising efforts will cumulate on Saturday, March 1 at 7 PM when Local 5 – ABC will air the one-hour Telethon Spotlight Special, which will highlight Variety’s impact over the last year. 

 

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50th Telethon