51st Annual Telethon Campaign - 2025

Join us on June 5, 2024

The Telethon is the foundation Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa was built upon and is the highlight of each year. For 46 years, the Variety Telethon 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. Since then, the Variety Telethon has evolved 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 will support Variety's five programs:

• Grant Program – Variety awards funding to children’s nonprofits annually for projects that will directly impact children. In 2024, Variety awarded funds to 84 nonprofits.
• 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

Thank you for participating in this year's Variety VIP Telethon Campaign! Your contributions and efforts will make a lasting impact on Iowa's children.

Tune in to the Variety Spotlight Special on We are Iowa - Local 5 on Saturday, March 1 at 7 PM!