Variety, the Children’s Charity of Buffalo & WNY Announces
raising over ONE MILLION dollars during
The 61stAnnual Variety Kids Telethon!
Lancaster, NY (www.varietybuffalo.org) Thank you Buffalo, and all of Western New York, for your support of the 61st Annual Variety Kids Telethon, raising $1,025,808 for the Variety Club of Buffalo Tent #7! We are both thrilled and humbled, this truly means so much and will allow us to continue the help the kids who need us the most.
The funds raised directly support Oishei Children’s Hospital, and other Children’s charities. The 61st annual telethon event aired Saturday, March 4, 2023 on WGRZ-TV Channel 2, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo from 6pm until 11pm, and Sunday, March 5, 2023 from 10am until 8pm on WBBZ-TV, the locally owned MeTV affiliate, broadcast on Channel 67.1 on-air; and Cable 5. The telecast originated both days LIVE from the Variety Headquarters in Lancaster, 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, President of the Buffalo Common Council and Bishop of the True Bethel Baptist Church, in hosting the event.
This year’s Celebrity Child was Avanyah White. Avanyah along with her mother Unique, her grandmother and great grandmother joined Honorary Chairperson Rick Hamister from Northwest Bank, General Chairman Frank Lignos, and Co-Chairman Bill Simon, with talent that included Buffalo native Frankie Scinta, Joshua Vacanti from NBC-TV’s “The Voice” and many more 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.
In addition, we honored to be joined by so many “Hometown Heroes” from Buffalo & WNY. Over the past year, the area has endured so much. Some amazing people and organizations came to the aid of many during difficult times. Variety was so proud to be able to spotlight those who have helped others, serving as inspiration to support the children and families we serve, turning tragedy into triumph.
Throughout the 15 hours of the Telethon, various corporate matches and donations were made from so many incredible members of our Buffalo and WNY community, coming together for our kids.
As of 8pm on Sunday, March 5. 2023, $1,025,808 was raised, capping off a unique effort that brings the community together for a great cause on the longest running locally produced Telethon in the nation.
Paul Cambria, President of Variety commented, “Once again, Western New York has come through and made the 61st Annual Variety Kids Telethon a success with over ONE MILLION raised right here locally.”
The 61st Annual Variety Kids Telethon was a success due to the cumulative efforts of Western New Yorkers that contributed time, talent and money to help the Children of our community. 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 or by texting “Variety” to 20222. 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!
Variety Buffalo Final Total 2023 release / page 2:
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 teams, Oishei Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Variety Club Board, Volunteers, and everyone who contributed their time, talent, and energy.
The Variety Club thanks our other media partners, sponsors and everyone who helped make The 61st Annual Variety Kids Telethon a success.
Variety Club of Buffalo Tent #7 is a 501C-3 charity raising money for Oishei Children’s Hospital, the Dr. Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center, and Children’s Charities in Buffalo and WNY since 1934.
Offices located at 6114 Broadway-Lancaster, New York, 14086.
(716) 854-7577/ varietybuffalo.org
Instagram: varietywny