SALUTE TO VARIETY - THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY OF ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, Variety - The Children's Charity will hold its 84lh Annual World Conference from April 27 to May 1, 2013 in this city; and
WHEREAS, This prestigious and important international convention brings to this city hundreds of representatives from all the nations in which "Variety - The Children's Charity" has established chapters so they may educate each other on how to better help children throughout the world
WHEREAS, "Variety - The Children's Charity" is the extension of the venerable Variety Club, founded as a social organization on October 10, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by eleven young men who worked in show business. However, the club's true purpose was born on Christmas Eve, 1928, when the manager of the Sheridan Square Theatre in Pittsburgh found an infant abandoned in the theatre. Through the generous fundraising efforts of those founders, that baby girl grew up to serve her country as an officer in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and as a registered nurse in Vietnam as well as raise a family of her own and spend much of her time working with children prior to succumbing to cancer at the age of 66.
WHEREAS, Since that fateful Christmas Eve, this remarkable organization has dedicated itself to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children through a world-wide network of 54 chapters in 14 countries that raise millions of dollars to benefit hospitals, schools and agencies that serve children with disabilities. Variety Club has counted among its many members such show business luminaries as Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, HSH Princess Grace of Monaco, Gregory Peck, Burt Reynolds, Carol Channing, and George Burns; and
WHEREAS, "Variety - The Children's Charity of Illinois" was established in 1944 by local theatre owners and businessmen with a mission to improve the quality of life for underprivileged, ill, abused, and homeless children as well as those who are physically and mentally-challenged; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Walter Burnett, Jr., Chairman of the Special Events, Cultural Affairs, and Recreation and Alderman of the 27th Ward, has apprised this august body of outstanding and immeasurable contributions that "Variety - The Children's Charity" has made for the welfare of children everywhere; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 13th Day of February, 2013 AD, do hereby salute the noteworthy contributions made by "Variety - The Children's Charity", extend our heartiest greetings to the many visitors this convocation brings to our metropolis and wish them continued success in their important and vital mission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to "Variety - The Children's Charity"
Alderman - 27th Ward