Welcome to the 50th annual Variety Telethon to raise money for Iowa's children!

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 - 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 to support Variety's mission of improving the lives of children throughout Iowa who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill or living with special needs.

For 50 years, Iowans have joined together to contribute their time, talent, and hearts to the Variety Telethon and have collectively raised over $134 million to impact Iowa’s children.

Help us honor our four founders and celebrate 50 years of miracles by donating to the Variety Telethon - every dollar makes a difference, and with your support, we can continue helping children in Iowa reach their full potential.