Variety Texas

10/01/2026

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month—a time to recognize the talents, contributions, and potential of people with disabilities.

At Variety Texas, we know that building a more inclusive future starts with access to opportunities to learn, grow, develop skills, and gain independence.

Through Heart of Variety, families may receive support for resources that help children and young adults with disabilities take meaningful steps toward their own goals and what comes next.

This month, we celebrate every path toward greater opportunity, participation, and inclusion.

09/23/2026

Small supports can make a big difference. 💙

For Hunter, swim lessons mean more than learning a new skill — they support safety, confidence, and more independence in the water.

A Heart of Variety grant helped make those lessons possible.

Read Hunter’s story and learn more about the impact of Heart of Variety grants across Texas:

https://www.varietytexas.org/post/heart-of-variety-grant-hunter

For Hunter's mom, Vivian, safety isn't an abstract concern. Hunter has severe Level 2 autism, and like many children on the spectrum, he faces a serious risk of elopement — wandering or bolting from a safe environment, often without warning.

09/16/2026

Tomorrow is North Texas Giving Day 💙

Your support helps Variety Texas expand access, inclusion, and opportunities for children with disabilities and their families across Texas.

From adaptive equipment and family grants to inclusive programs like Bike Camp, every gift helps make more participation, connection, and independence possible.

If Variety Texas is part of your giving tomorrow, thank you for helping build a more inclusive Texas.

Give here:
https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/Variety-The-Childrens-Charity-Of-Texas

Photo credit: Annie Ray Photography

09/15/2026

Inclusion isn’t just inviting everyone to play. It’s creating different ways to play. 💙

At Activate Inclusion Day, activities were designed to flex around the participant—not the other way around.

🏀 Basketball could mean shooting at a lowered hoop, using a traditional basketball or choosing a larger, lighter ball.

⚽ Soccer incorporated different balls, targets and games so participants could engage in ways that worked for them.

🎳 Games could move to the floor, slow down or change completely.

🎶 And sensory supports, including hearing protection, could be part of the activity—not a reason to sit it out.

Throughout the day, coaches and volunteers adapted activities in real time, offered hands-on support when wanted or needed, and gave kids the freedom to explore at their own pace. That participant-centered approach was built into the event: the goal was meaningful participation, not getting everyone to do an activity in exactly the same way.

Because inclusion isn’t about making people fit the activity. It’s about removing barriers so more people can take part.

08/31/2026

This is what community support can make possible. 🚲❤️

When barriers are removed—through accessible equipment, individualized instruction, committed volunteers and supportive spaces—kids and young adults with disabilities have more opportunities to learn, participate and build skills on their own terms.

At Bike Camp, that looked different for every rider. Some worked on balance. Some practiced pedaling and steering. Some rode independently. Every rider had the opportunity to take on a new challenge with the support and tools that worked for them.

That kind of access takes a community. We’re grateful to everyone who invests in Variety Texas and helps make programs like Bike Camp possible.

Thank you for helping create more opportunities for Texans with disabilities to participate, learn and thrive.

📸 Photos by

08/28/2026

We’re celebrating an incredible Giveback Social! ❤️

Thanks to our generous sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers, and supporters, the 2026 Variety Texas Giveback Social raised more than $175,000 to support children and young adults with disabilities across Texas.

A special thank you to Steve & Anne Holmes for their extraordinary generosity, to Cinemark for their tremendous support, and to our Variety Texas Board of Directors for the leadership and commitment that helped make this event possible.

The funds raised will help support year-round grants, adaptive equipment, inclusive programs, and accessible experiences that expand access, participation, and joy for children and families across Texas.

Thank you for giving back with us. ❤️

08/27/2026

Tonight, as we gather for the Giveback Social, stories like Hailey’s remind us what we’re working toward.

For Hailey, a safer, working kitchen meant more opportunity to take part in everyday routines. After needed repairs were completed through a Heart of Variety grant, she was able to help with dishes more confidently and build daily living skills in her own home.

That kind of impact is why we’re raising funds tonight: to help remove barriers and expand access, independence, and participation for kids and families with disabilities across Texas.

Thank you to everyone joining us tonight and helping make more opportunities like these possible. ❤️

08/24/2026

🤠 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: VARIETY TEXAS GIVEBACK SOCIAL

We’re almost there! Here’s what you need to know before joining us Wednesday, August 26 for the Variety Texas Giveback Social:

📍 Oak Highlands Brewery
500 Lockwood Dr., Richardson, TX

⏰ 6–10 PM

🚌 Free CinéShow shuttle: Departs the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center at 5:20 PM. Return shuttles begin at 9 PM, with the final shuttle departing at 10 PM.

🚗 Driving? Complimentary onsite parking is available.

👢 Attire: Cowboy Casual

Come ready for Hurtado BBQ, drinks, live music from The Traveling Cinema Thugs, Heads or Tails, raffle prizes and plenty of time to connect—all while supporting Variety Texas programs for children and young adults with disabilities across the state.

We can’t wait to see y’all Wednesday! 💚

08/19/2026

🎸 Live music. Cold drinks. A great cause.

We’re excited to welcome The Traveling Cinema Thugs to the Variety Texas Giveback Social!

The Official House Band of the International Cinema Technology Association brings together cinema-industry professionals who trade the theater for the stage—and they’ll be providing the soundtrack for our night at Oak Highlands Brewery .

Join us Wednesday, August 26, for live music, Hurtado Barbecue, drinks and a night supporting grants and inclusive programs for children and young adults with disabilities across Texas.

🎶 See you at the Giveback Social!

08/17/2026

What a day! 💛

Activate Inclusion Day brought families together for a morning of play, music, creativity and connection—all in a space designed for kids of all abilities to participate and belong.

From chasing bubbles and getting faces painted to playing games, enjoying sno-cones and dancing along with Tío Tóto, there were plenty of ways to join the fun.

Thank you to every family who spent the day with us. A special thank you to Variety International for helping make this celebration of inclusion possible, and to The Austin Stone for hosting us and sharing the day with so many families from their community.

Seeing kids explore, laugh, try something new, and enjoy the experience in their own way is exactly what Activate Inclusion Day is all about.

📸: Christina Icasiano