Our Blog
Naperwood Magic Hits the Airwaves
As seen on the news! We had the awesome opportunity to stop by WGN studios to not only promote our 15th annual Oscar party, but the great mission we of Variety the Children's Charity of Illinois. Watch our Variety kiddo, Will, tell a joke and perform an amazing magic...
Welcome to the Variety Family
Welcome to the Variety Family! We're excited to welcome New Vision Theatres: Showplace Pekin 14, Cinema 8 Lansing, IL & Ovation Cinema Grill Bloomington, IL to the Variety Family! Thank you for joining us in support of local kids with disabilities. Offering...
Naperwood 2020
Thank you to all who supported and attended this year's Naperwood Oscar Watch Party! In addition to delicious food and drink, the night was filled with laughter, photo ops, and a raffle featuring ungettable and unforgettable experiences. We are...
The High Cost of Raising a Child with Special Needs
On average, it costs four times as much to raise a child with special needs. Part of this expense is adaptive equipment. The average number of pieces of equipment needed is 4-6 per child. Even the care for children without physical disabilities can be staggering. A...
Shop Amazon Smile for Variety of Illinois
When you sign up at Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com) 5% of your purchases will go to a not-for-profit of your choosing. Please consider making that not-for-profit, Variety of Illinois! When you can't walk or talk, how do you interact with your community?...
What People Often Forget About Special Needs Dads
I have often contemplated if having a special needs kid makes for a special dad. I’d like to think so, but the truth is I still burp, need deodorant and annoy my wife, so it is likely that I am ordinary. But maybe that is what makes me special – the fact that I am...
10 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About Parenting a Child With Special Needs
There’s no way you’d spot us in a crowd. We don’t have a secret handshake. But somehow, special needs parents always manage to find each other. Maybe it’s that unmistakable look of exhaustion and resolve many of us wear. Whatever it is, I’ve been part of this family...
HCU Heroes – Carson’s Story
The following blog post was written by Dana Hunt about her youngest son, Carson Brady Hunt, who was born with a very rare kind of HCU that was not detected through newborn screening. When Dana shared her family's story, she told me that at 3 months old, Carson was...
Homework Help for Kids with Special Needs
By: Terri Mauro It's normal for a child to hate doing homework, but for children with special learning, motor or developmental needs, that hatred can blow up into tantrums, meltdowns, and endless nag-a-thons. It doesn't have to be that way. There are ways to make the...
Increasingly, Parents Push For Inclusive Playgrounds
By AIMEE BLANCHETTE, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/MC Originally posted in the Disability Scoop Four-year-old Lucas Dean has to have three things when he goes to the playground: long pants, Mickey Mouse gardening gloves and lots of energy. He needs them to crawl through...
It’s More Than Convenience to Me
By Jill F. Bamber, CTVI, MEd, MOM Let me introduce myself. I’m that lucky mom who gets to use those convenient parking spots right in front; you know, the ones that are often empty and right by the door. But you see, parking there is more than convenience for me. I...
U.S. parents report rise in children with mental, developmental disabilities.
"Part of the problem with the word 'disabilities' is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can't feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in...
Find Out How to Get Involved
Several generous Illinois organizations offer an employee match program. Double your gift to Variety of Illinois, ask your employer if they match contributions!