The 48th Annual Variety Kids Telethon was held at the Adam's Mark hotel in Buffalo on March 28th, and the Buffalo Bills Alumni (including former Bills safety Jeff Nixon '79-'84 and former Bills wide receiver Charley Ferguson '63-'69), the Jills Cheerleaders and Billy Buffalo appeared on the show to "Help Our Kids Smile" and encourage donations for children that Variety serves.
"We have a lot of different groups in the community coming in and dropping off money," said Telethon Chairman Edward Devantier, who is also the second vice president of the Variety Club of Buffalo.
One of the community groups that donated to the Variety was the Bills Alumni Foundation.
"We have donated to Variety for a number of years," said Ferguson. "This is a great charitable cause and we are happy to continue to support what they do in the community."
Last year the telethon raised $1,156,877 for Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo and many other local charities benefiting children that Variety serves. Variety is known for their support of the Robert Warner M.D. Center for Children With Special Needs and the Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo. Variety also supports many Western New York children's charities through the annual telethon which is broadcast live on WKBW-TV Channel 7.
"Our goal for this year is $1 more," said Devantier. "We hope it's a lot more."
"Help Our Kids Smile" was the theme of this year's telethon and at the end of the day, there were lots of smiles when the final donation total was announced at $1,251,331...over $94,000 more than last year's grand total.
Donations are still being accepted and donors may call 716-558-7575, visit varietykidstelethon.com or text the word "SARAH" to number 20222 in order to donate to Variety's special children.
