Variety - The Children's Charity of BC

10/29/2026

Halloween weekend is approaching! Here are some tips & tricks to help make the day more accessible so you can support more kids on the day:

1. Make Your Pathways Accessible - Clear pathways and remove physical barriers by getting rid of tripping hazards, having good lighting for safety, and setting up treat station at the bottom of the driveway or stairs.

2. Offer Candy Alternatives - Not every kid can have candy. Help create inclusivity by offering treat alternatives such as stickers, bubbles, and glow sticks!

3. Help Place Treats in Bags - Assist trick-or-treaters by placing the treat in their bag. This helps those with low vision, anxiety, and/or difficulty with fine motor skills.

4. Don't Require Kids to Speak - Do not require children to say "trick-or-treat," make eye contact, or wear a full costume. Some kids coming to your door may be shy and/or non-verbal. Be kind and open to different ways of communicating.

5. Share These Tips With Your Friends - By sharing with others on how to make Halloween more accessible, you can help build awareness around the holiday and support the inclusivity of more kids on Halloween!

10/29/2026

7 days, 7 stories! Tune in to Global BC from Oct 26 - Nov 1 to meet BC kids who are thriving and discovering their potential thanks to donors like you!

Stories and interviews will air each day on Global BC's morning news - beginning weekday mornings at 5 a.m., news at noon, and the 6 p.m. news hour.

10/28/2026

Did you catch Jazzy's story today on Global BC!?

Tune into Global BC news at 5 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m. for a new story every day until Nov 1. Each story shows how donors like you have made an impact on the lives of children and their families.

10/26/2026

Variety Week starts tomorrow! ❤️

Tune in to Global BC from Oct 26 - Nov 1 to meet BC kids who are thriving and discovering their potential thanks to donors like you!

Stories will air each day on Global BC’s morning news - beginning weekday mornings at 5 a.m., news at noon, and the 6 p.m. news hour. 📰

TUNE IN TO GLOBAL BC OCT 26 - NOV 1 FOR VARIETY WEEK!

10/22/2026

Speech language therapy funded by Variety BC has helped 7-year-old Cleo Smith become more confident communicating - allowing her to build deeper friendships, share her feelings, and speak up for what she needs.

Learn more about her story on our blog (originally posted on the Victoria Times Columnist).

https://www.variety.bc.ca/news/how-one-b-c-charity-is-helping-children-communicate-connect-and-thrive/

For 60 years, Variety - the Children's Charity has been stepping in where healthcare and other support systems cannot, helping B.C. children and youth with complex health needs access the care they need to thrive.

10/20/2026

Invisible Disabilities describe any physical, mental, or neurological condition that limits a person’s daily activities or movement but is not immediately obvious to an observer.

By educating, listening, believing, and supporting those who share their experiences with us, we can change the way the world sees disabilities.

Variety BC grants such as Type 1 Diabetes Support, Tuition & Tutoring, Mental Wellness, and Specialized Therapies are there to support both visible AND invisible disabilities.

Learn more at: https://www.variety.bc.ca/support/

10/16/2026

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month - a time to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome, promote inclusion, and challenge stereotypes.

An important aspect of inclusion is feeling seen, understood and supported. Sometimes, that support can start with a book.

Here is a list of just some of the books out there that feature stories about kids with Down syndrome to help them feel seen and celebrated.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, a time to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome, promote inclusion and challenge stereotypes.

10/15/2026

Emileigh Gessner brought her oldest son, August, in for an autism assessment. During August's assessment, the family noticed similar signs in his younger twin brothers, Holland and River.

Thanks to Variety donors, we were able to cover assessments for all three of Gessner's sons.

“We now see certain behaviours in the boys and we’re able to give them the tools they need to regulate, focus and succeed,” she says. “It goes a long way in helping us support our children’s needs without getting frustrated or discouraged.”

Read more about this family written by The Abbotsford News, and tune in to Global BC October 26-November 1 for Variety Week to see them on TV!

https://www.variety.bc.ca/news/how-three-diagnoses-helped-one-family-find-more-grace-in-parenting/

Formal assessments gave an Abbotsford mother the clarity she needed to better guide, support and advocate for her sons

10/10/2026

Access to healthcare directly affects mental health when people cannot get timely, affordable, or quality care. Variety donors make it possible to improve the mental wellbeing of children and their families through many different kinds of support.

On this World Mental Health Day, we are reminded that:

• THERAPY is mental health support
• INCLUSION is mental health support
• ACCESSIBILITY is mental health support
• HEALTHCARE is mental health support

Every child deserves to live a life of hope. With your help, we can be there for more kids and help families afford the support they urgently need. And all month long, your donations will be matched! https://www.variety.bc.ca/events/variety-week/

10/06/2026

Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day - a global movement that brings together people with cerebral palsy and their communities to advocate for equitable rights, access, and opportunities.

For the last 60 years, Variety donors have helped BC children with disabilities and complex health needs live without limits. In just the last 10 years alone, we have been able to provide support for kids with cerebral palsy by:

- Funding 468 grants
- Supporting 257 kids
- Impacting 53 communities

Nearly 70% of these grants have been for mobility equipment and orthotics to help kids with cerebral palsy improve their independence, comfort, and connection to the world around them.

With your help, imagine how many others we could help over the next decade!