DES MOINES, Iowa — Variety — The Children’s Charity of Iowa kicked off its Two Days of Compassion radiothon on Tuesday.
Held at 92.5 KJJY studios in central Iowa, the two-day event raises money for the Variety Compassion Fund, which “benefits critically ill children and their families at local hospitals by providing comfort, care and fulfilling immediate needs.”
Money from the fund supports things like gas cards for families to travel to appointments, meals for families or parents who spend weeks at the hospital, phone payments, heat or electricity bills, care for siblings when parents need to stay with their ill child and sleep sacks for babies.
Variety leaders said they are “dedicated to improving the lives of children who are at risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs.”
The Two Days of Compassion radiothon helps replenish the Compassion fund every year.
"The Compassion Fund was actually started in 1999 here and it started with a coffee can at one of the local hospitals," said Danny Beter, a board member of Variety. "Nurses would donate, put dollars into this can and that would go back to families in need, families who were struggling when their children were born."
Here's how you can donate:
- Call 92.5 KJJY at 515-276-6669 until 6 p.m. Tuesday, or from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday
- Venmo @VarietyIowa
- Through the Variety website
Local 5 will be airing the Variety Telethon Spotlight Special on March 4, 2024.