Variety The Children’s Charity Southern California Donates Wheelchair Accessible
“Sunshine Coach” to AbilityFirst for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Long Beach, CA – June 26, 2015
Variety The Children’s Charity Southern California donated a 10-passenger wheelchair accessible van to AbilityFirst, to benefit children and youth with physical and developmental disabilities. Elizabeth O’Neil, Executive Director of Variety Southern California, officially delivered the new “Sunshine Coach” to Nicole Weaver-Goller, Senior Director of Development, and Barbara Schlosser, Long Beach Center Director, on Friday, June 26, at 3:00 pm. The AbilityFirst Long Beach Center is located on East Willow Street in Long Beach.
“We are extremely grateful to Variety for this very generous gift, which will be used by more than 350 children who attend our programs in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Field trips and community-based instruction are an important part of our program, and provide opportunities for children with disabilities to interact with their neighbors and peers. We are delighted to receive this 10-passenger van from Variety, which shares our commitment to community inclusion and participation,” said Lori Gangemi, CEO of AbilityFirst. “The van will be used to transport children to the beach, local stores, movie theaters and amusement parks, among many other things. Many children in our programs have limited opportunities to have these experiences, and we are thankful for the community support that makes them possible.”
The Southern California Chapter of Variety was founded in 1941 and has raised over $60 million for children in Southern California. Variety International was originally established in 1928 by eleven Vaudeville showmen and still exists today for one reason: to help children in need.
AbilityFirst, formerly known as the Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California, provides community-based programs for individuals with lifelong physical and developmental disabilities, including autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Its children’s programs emphasize social, communication, daily living and healthy living skills, and provide valuable respite and support for working parents.
Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California
4601 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 260
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel.: (323) 655-1547