Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa

18-year-old Justin has outgrown his previous specialized bike and is unable to ride a traditional bike. This side-by-side bike will let Justin be able to exercise while being safe with an adult next to him! A big thank you to Academy Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. for sponsoring Justin's new bike!

Last week, over 200 students at McKinley Elementary received a brand new bike, lock, and helmet! A big thank you to MidAmerican Energy Company, Venerable, Community State Bank - Des Moines, IA, Palmer Group, Holmes Murphy, Knapp Properties, LC, and Neumann Brothers for building these bikes! Photos by: Des Moines Public Schools

Today, we're celebrating Sheri McMichael's retirement from Variety! Sheri's remarkable tenure, characterized by her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs, has left an indelible mark on Variety Iowa and the children we serve. Under Sheri's leadership, Variety Iowa has grown exponentially, empowering children throughout Iowa to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Her visionary guidance and tireless efforts have transformed the lives of countless children and their families, making a lasting impact on the community. During her tenure, Sheri spearheaded numerous initiatives that have shaped Variety Iowa into a leading organization dedicated to the welfare of children throughout the state. She fostered strong partnerships with community stakeholders, advocates, and donors - leading to significant advancements in providing essential resources, support, and opportunities for children facing diverse challenges. Overall, her efforts have contributed to raising an impressive $96+ million dollars for Variety Iowa, which has been reinvested in various communities and children. Sheri's leadership has also resulted in significant support for other nonprofits who help children through Variety’s Grant Program, culminating to $62+ million in funding over the past 24 years. Sheri successfully implemented Variety’s Mobility Program, providing more than 800 specialized bicycles and other pieces of mobility equipment to children in Iowa. Additionally, she spearheaded the development of four inclusive Variety Star playgrounds, located in Des Moines’ Ewing Park and Riverview Park, Clive’s Greenbelt, and Cedar Rapids’ Noelridge Park. She was also responsible for implementing Variety’s Compassion Fund which provides local hospitals funds to immediately distribute to families with critically ill children. Sheri has been a key part of what makes Variety special for the last 24 years. While we're very sad to see her go, we're excited for her new adventures!

Thank you Community State Bank - Des Moines, IA for spending your afternoon building bikes! These bikes will bring joy and opportunities for children in our community, and we couldn’t be more thankful for your support!

Parker received his new adaptive bike, thanks to Eli Berry from Graham Construction Company, Inc. and their payroll deduct program! Parker received his first Variety mobility piece two years ago - a gait trainer that allowed to gain strength in his legs and keep his hip dysplasia stable. Now he's ready to move on to riding a specialized bike! This bike will help him continue to grow strong and increase his range of motion and endurance.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our grant breakfast this morning to honor the many wonderful nonprofits receiving a Variety Grant this year! Please join us in saying congratulations and thank you for the work these nonprofits do to support Iowa’s children! Photos by: Christopher Maharry

We are proud to support 81 nonprofits through our grant program! Each year, nonprofits helping children throughout the state have the opportunity to apply for grants to support tangible projects that make a direct impact on children. Organizations that receive Variety grants range in size and focus, but all share the goal of bettering the lives of children in Iowa. Learn more about our grant program here: https://lnkd.in/gSygZXRa

We truly appreciate everyone who came out to our Eastern Iowa Stag event last night! It was a fantastic evening filled with delicious food, wonderful company, and refreshing drinks—all in support of children in need in Eastern Iowa!

We're ready for a great night at our Eastern Iowa Stag! Thank you to our amazing sponsors who have helped make this event a success! Basepoint Wealth Fareway Stores, Inc. Graham Construction Company, Inc. iBev Principal Financial Group Schrader Group, Inc. 7G Distributing, LLC Our silent auction is OPEN and ready to accept your bids (even if you can't make it tonight!): https://lnkd.in/gN5YDn6V

We had such a great day yesterday at our Miller Lite Golf Invitational! A big thank you to everyone who joined us for a fun-filled day on the course! ⛳️