Variety’s 48th Annual Show Of Hearts Telethon On January 25, 26

BURNABY – OnJanuary 25th and 26th,British Columbianswill have the chanceto show their heartsto children who havespecial needs. Variety– The Children’sCharity returns to theair on Global BC withthe 48th annual Showof Hearts Telethon,its biggest fundraisingevent. Last year generousdonors helpedVariety raise over $7million.For anyone who grew up in BritishColumbia, Variety’s Show of HeartsTelethon is a yearly celebration of thepositive and far-reaching impact donorshave on families with children who havespecial needs.“The Telethon is our signature fundraiser,”says Bernice Scholten, ExecutiveDirector of Variety. “Once a year weask viewers to invite us into their livingrooms to see firsthand the impact theirdonations make and ask them to supportchildren who have special needs. Varietyis about families supporting familiesand there’s nothing more powerful thanthat.”As with every Variety’s fundraisingcampaign, all funds raised at Varietyand the Show of Hearts Telethon stay inBritish Columbia.In 2013, Variety provided grants to1,277 families and also to 32 organizationsoffering specialized programs andservices to children who have specialneeds. The funding paid for things likenew equipment in hospital Neonatal IntensiveCare Units, expensive life-savingmedications, physical therapies, mobilityand communication devices and educationalbursaries to special schools.The programming lineup this yearincludes performances by internationallyrenowned artists including Bruce Springsteen,Barbra Streisand, Elton John, and“Journey of Man”, a visually stunningcelebration of life presented by CirqueDu Soleil. Complete program informationis available online at.variety.bc.caWatch your favourite Global BCpersonalities on January 25th at 7:00 p.m.to January 26th at 5:30 p.m. and make apledge by calling 310-KIDS. Donationscan also be made online at variety.bc.ca.