Variety Kids Telethon Raises $1,070,255 for Oishei Children’s Hospital on WGRZ Ch. 2 & WBBZ-TV 5
Variety, the Children’s Charity of Buffalo & WNY
Announces $1,070,255 dollars being raised during
The 63rd Annual Variety Kids Telethon!
Lancaster, NY (www.varietybuffalo.org) A huge heartfelt THANK YOU to all of Buffalo and Western New York, for your support of the 63rd Annual Variety Kids Telethon, raising $1,070,255 for the Variety Club of Buffalo Tent #7! We were able to surpass last year’s dollar amount and we are profoundly grateful to continue to help the kids who need us the most. We could not do it without the incredible support of this awe-inspiring community.
The funds raised directly support Oishei Children’s Hospital, and other Children’s charities. The 63rd Annual Telethon event aired Saturday, March 8, 2025, on WGRZ-TV Channel 2, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo from 6pm until 11pm, and Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 10am until 8pm on WBBZ-TV, the locally owned MeTV affiliate, broadcast on Channel 67.1 on-air; Cable 5. Both days were held LIVE from the Variety Headquarters in Lancaster, New York.
Tony Vaccaro, President of Variety commented “We are thrilled to announce that the Variety Kids Telethon this weekend once again surpassed our goal of one million dollars. The Telethon is more than just a weekend event, this weekend was the culmination of a year of fundraising and we couldn’t have done it without our volunteers, our Corporate partners, including WGRZ Channel 2 and WBBZ channel 5, our supporters that attend our events throughout the year or the loyal supporters that call in their pledges. As a result, we can continue to help Oishei’s Children’s Hospital provide state of the art services to the children of Western New York.”
The Channel 2 on-air personalities Saturday, and WBBZ-TV personalities Sunday, joined attorney Paul Cambria, President of Variety, along with Darius Pridgen, the former Buffalo Common Council President from the Ellicott District and Bishop of the True Bethel Baptist Church, in hosting the event.
For 2025, we welcomed back actor/singer Donny Most. Donny played the character of Ralph Malph on the iconic “Happy Days” TV series. “Buffalo Joe” Andreessen #44 of the Buffalo Bills and Legendary linebacker, #56 Darryl Talley came together to create a touchdown for the Kids! West Seneca’s own Sydney Sterlace ( who placed 3rd while appearing on Season 26 of NBC’s “The Voice”) performed. Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls stopped in to help and from Buffalo’s First Family of Music, Frankie Scinta returned alongside with many other hometown talent coming together as a community to raise funds for the kids that need us the most.
WGRZ-2 On Your Side is proud to support the wonderful work of Variety Club of Western New York. It is organizations like Variety Club that make Western New York a great place to live. And, thank you to the City of Good Neighbors—your generosity was once again heartwarming. The $1,070,255 raised will go a long way toward improving the lives and care of the most vulnerable among us, our children” said Mark Manders, President and General Manager of WGRZ-2.
A highlight moment included when Shredd and Ragan from 97 Rock hosted Robby Takac, Darryl Talley, Donny Most, John Di Sciullo and Lisa Sorrentino from Anderson’s Frozen Custard to create a 1950’s Ice Cream/ Diner scene that was sure to provide many laughs and smiles to the viewers at home!
Hundreds of Corporate Partners joined Variety in our mission to help the children of WNY. One of them is Delta Sonic donating over $100,000+ thanks to sales of Buffalo Bills Collector Glasses, Coupon Books and “Round Up” options.
This year’s Celebrity Child was a lovely little girl named Evelynn. Evelynn along with her mom and dad joined General Chair Rose Ann Heilemann, Co-Chair Kathy Kaminski, Honorary Chairperson Karan Durkin of HDE Electric with talented artists from right here in Buffalo & WNY! Video stories were presented featuring Oishei Children’s Hospital, members of the medical team, past Celebrity children, and patient stories profiling the miracles that happen at Oishei Children’s Hospital every day.
Throughout the 15 hours of the Telethon, various corporate matches and donations were made by so many incredible members of our Buffalo and WNY community, coming together for our kids. As of 8pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025; $1,070,255 was raised. It was a wonderful time celebrating Variety’s history.
“The Telethon is a great celebration of Western New York coming together to help children and families, broadcast and streamed for Buffalo and all the world to witness. WBBZ-TV 5 is honored to produce and air the event with WGRZ Channel 2. We also value the satellite support from WKBW and technical support from Indigo Productions, Hale Northeastern, and audio engineer Jim Pritchard. On behalf of our owner Phil Arno, Manager Chris Musial, and our Production Team, we value being a part of this legacy event; said, John Di Sciullo Co- Producer of the Variety Kids Telethon.
On behalf of the children we serve, Thank You! To ensure we can help all our variety kids, please honor your pledge. Donations can still be made online at varietybuffalo.org. All the monies raised stay local and help support the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital as well as other local charities that benefit children. For more information, please visit varietybuffalo.org!
The Variety Club of Buffalo thanks WGRZ-TV Channel 2 General Manager Mark Manders and his team, WBBZ-TV owner Phil Arno and his team, the staff and production team, Oishei Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Variety Club Board, Volunteers, and everyone who contributed their time, talent, and energy.
The Telethon is truly a team effort on all ends and we would like to sincerely thank our other media partners, sponsors and everyone who helped make the 63rd Annual Variety Kids Telethon a success.