Variety – the Children's Charity of the Desert is a 501c3 organization which is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of underprivileged and special needs children in the Coachella Valley.

Through hard work, thoughtful stewardship, and single-minded focus on the needs of the young, Variety strives to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, their families, our community, and the world…one need at a time.

THE GIVING STARTED IN 1928, WITH ONE BABY

On Christmas Eve in 1928, a baby girl was found on a seat at the Sheridan Square Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A note pinned to her dress read:

Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business people and pray to God that you will look out for her." (signed) 'A Heartbroken Mother'

When all efforts by the police and local newspapers failed to locate her parents, a group of eleven gentlemen affiliated with the entertainment industry agreed to financially underwrite the child's support and education. Just one year prior, these men had rented a small clubroom in the William Penn Hotel and created a social club, aptly named "Variety" given that the members encompassed various branches in show business. The child was then named Catherine Variety Sheridan, her middle name for the club and her last name for the theatre.

The Variety club legacy continues now into the 21st century, existing for one reason - to help children in need.

At Right: Variety's "Baby Catherine" as a young girl.