Variety's Power Of Youth – Get Involved

Many members of the production community engage in one or more philanthropic activities.  Two years ago, the executives at Variety felt it was time to unify the organization and develop a company-organized charity event.  The goal was to illustrate that, despite economic hard times and union strikes, the production community had a commitment to help causes in need.

The result of those early discussions was the creation of Variety’s Power of Youth.

 “Variety launched the Power of Youth effort in 2007 because we realized that we had the opportunity to be a catalyst for the next great generation of entertainment to get involved en masse,” said Brian Gott, Publisher, Variety.  “Two years, 200 celebrity supporters and more than $800,000 in charitable contributions later, we’re proud to say that the movement is beyond our expectations!”

Talented young singers and actors are invited to participate in the Variety Power of Youth advisory board.  Last year, advisory board members The Jonas Brothers, Angus T. Jones, and Miranda Cosgrove flew to the St. Jude Hospital headquarters (the recipient of 2008's donations) to interact with the hospital patients and understand what the event’s contributions would be aiding.

 This year, the benefactors of Variety’s Power of Youth are LA’s BEST and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

 LA’s BEST – Better Educated Students for Tomorrow – is a nationally recognized after-school education, enrichment and recreation program serving more than 28,000 children who have the greatest needs and fewest resources throughout the city of Los Angeles. The program provides a safe haven for children ages 5 – 12 each day after school, at no costs to the parents.

Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated for over 25 years to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.  Through a network of offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in the United States and Canadian provinces through an array of outpatient, hospital-based and web offerings.  Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the UK.

As with the past two years, an auction is held to raise additional funds.  Brian Gott, Nigel Lythgoe, board member for LA’s BEST and Jamie Lee Curtis, Global Ambassador for Starlight Children’s Foundation, recently made a request for members of the production community to contribute to the auction.  Their letter indicated they are looking for “truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that will raise thousands of dollars for these two worthy charities.”  Items requested include: iconic items worn on screen/used on stage, walk-on roles in film and television, VIP film premiere packages, and opportunities to meet celebrities on set or backstage.

Items are being accepted now for this year’s auction.

If you would like to learn more about Variety’s Power of Youth, please visit the following sites:

www.variety.com/poyletter

www.facebook.com/PowerOfYouth

www.variety.com/PowerofYouth

To contribute to the auction, please visit:

www.variety.com/POYauctionform

To learn more about LA BEST please visit:

www.labest.org

To learn more about Starlight Children’s Foundation, please visit:

www.starlight.org