IT'S that time of year again: The Super Bowl, the Grammys and the Academy Awards will see us glued to the tube, interested in celebrating the best of the sports and entertainment worlds.
For more than 45 years, B.C. residents have tuned in to an additional mustwatch television event and this year is no different.
From Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. to Sunday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m., Global B.C. will broadcast the 46th annual Variety Show of Hearts Telethon. The 23-hour fundraiser for Variety - The Children's Charity will feature concerts by many of today's greats - Paul Simon, Adele, Mariah Carey and Michael Buble included. While the crème de la crème of the entertainment world will be showcased, the true stars will be the children in need in our local communities whose stories will also be shared.
Variety raises funds and distributes grants to build a better future for B.C. children with special needs. Grants help families with medical emergencies, therapies, equipment, prescriptions and travel costs, as well as help children's organizations cover costs of construction, renovations, equipment and program fees.
Over the course of the telethon, viewers are encouraged to pledge their support for the non-profit's work. Last year's Show of Hearts raised more than $7 million.
A number of North Shore children have and continue to be supported by Variety, including Omid Kouhpayeh, 9.
Diagnosed with autism at age two, the North Vancouver resident received a grant last year to help cover the cost of attending PALS Autism School in Vancouver.
"The support is fantastic," says his mother Anna Alvand.
Omid has greatly improved since being a PALS student. "He's much better," says Anna. "He (has) low-functioning autism, non-verbal, and he definitely needs to go to this school."
Omid requires one-to-one support at all times. While life is difficult - Omid doesn't sleep through the night, and Anna works part time and her husband full time - however, all the support they receive, including from Variety, makes things easier.
"We're coping with life, and him and everything, so we're very fortunate to have this extra support," says Anna.
This year, Variety is going to help with some of Omid's therapy needs, which include speech, occupational and physical.
"I just want to thank them every day for what they do, it has a great impact in our life. . . .," says Anna. "I am very grateful that there are organizations like that that can help families."
Examples of other performers featured over the course of this year's Variety Show of Hearts Telethon include Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Phil Collins, Elton John, James Taylor, Art Garfunkel, Marc Anthony and Alison Krauss.
This year's fundraiser will be hosted by Global News team members Chris Gailus, Jill Krop, Deborra Hope, Sophie Lui, Steve Darling, Robin Gill and Wayne Cox.
Funds raised from the telethon will stay in British Columbia. For more information and a full schedule of this year's Variety Show of Hearts Telethon, visit www. variety.bc.ca.
To make a pledge, phone 310-KIDS (5437), no area code required, from anywhere in the province.
emcphee@nsnews.com
