Variety -- the Children's Charity of the National Capital Region

Variety – the Children’s Charity of the National Capital Region (Variety DC) was established in 2014 to improve the quality of life for children with mobility disabilities in DC, MD and VA by providing funding for therapeutic services and adaptive bicycles/equipment not covered by insurance. For children with special needs, adaptive bicycles bring an immense improvement in their physical and emotional well-being by strengthening their bodies through exercise, increasing their mobility, and improving their outlook. Families and caregivers share in the benefits and see the improvement in inclusion and belonging within the family and community. Our programs expanded to include Compassion Funds established at Children's National and Kennedy Krieger Institute for families with extreme financial need who need at-home equipment for children with disabilities.

Variety was founded in Pittsburgh, PA in 1927 by a group in the film industry. A year later, on Christmas Eve 1928, Variety supported its first child when a baby was left on the front steps of a local theater with a note from her mother asking the charity to care for her daughter. Since then, Variety has grown nationally and internationally, to a multi-million dollar philanthropic charity that supports children in need around the world.