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The 25th Annual Variety of Colorado Golf Tournament was held June 10, 2010 at the picturesque Arrowhead Golf Club near Roxborough State Park in suburban Littleton, CO.
Variety-The Children’s Charity of Colorado, Kid’s Mobility Network and The Children’s Hospital hosted the first annual Durable Medical Equipment Expo and Symposium (DMExpo) on November 14, 2009 in Glendale, Colorado. The groundbreaking event, organized by Variety of Colorado, attracted more than 250 guests, including a dozen mobility-related exhibitors. Variety board members Anne Tengler, Christy Kopp & Peter Kopp (Kid’s Mobility Network co-founders) spearheaded the wonderful event with the assistance of more than twenty individuals. Volunteers included Variety of Colorado Board members as well as Doctor of Physical Therapy candidates from The Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions (RHCHP) at Regis University in Denver. The Infinity Park Event Center in the Denver suburb of Glendale, Colorado served as the ideal event location. Some Expo attendees traveled more than two hundred miles to attend. Guests were able to easily navigate exhibitors’ booths, situated around the hall’s perimeter in addition to visiting with other exhibitors and organizations throughout the center of the building. Seminars were offered throughout the day and included topics such as: The Continuum of Care for a Child with Disabilities, The Lifecycle of Durable Medical Equipment for a Developing Child and Navigating Funding for DME. Participating exhibitors included: Rifton Equipment, Invacare Corporation, Freedom Concepts, Snug Seat, Sunrise Medical, Ambucs, ATG Rehab, Ascent Orthotics & Prosthetic, United Seating & Mobility, Colours Wheelchairs and Pride Mobility. In addition, the following organizations participated in the DMExpo: Epilepsy Foundation, Two Angels, CPRC, Family Voices, Spina Bifida and the State of Colorado Department of Medicare. While many Expo attendees enjoyed various seminars, 13-year-old Spencer Veraldi of Denver came to the Expo with something else in mind: test rides! Just as adults might visit dozens of car lots looking for just the right vehicle, Spence spent the day looking for the perfect adaptive bike. The Variety DMExpo provided him the perfect opportunity to do more than flip through equipment brochures… At the Freedom Concepts booth Spencer noticed a sporty Blue “Discovery” model, with racing flames. It was love at first sight! After Spencer and his parents, Val and Steve visited with the Freedom Concepts representative; it was time for a ride! The bike had everything they are looking for including a headrest, adjustable back and height, pedals and a seat harness. They all agreed: this bike would give Spencer the independence he craves. Following a few detailed measurements, the Veraldi’s were ready place an order for Spence’s custom-built adaptive bike. His smile said it all, “Oh, yeah, now this is my ride!”[1] [1] Special thanks to Kathryn Arbour of examiner.com Denver for sharing Spencer Veraldi’s story. Read more at: www.examiner.com
2008 was quite a productive year for Variety of Colorado. In February, we helped the family of Treston and Gavin purchase a wheelchair adaptive van. Treston, 14, and Gavin, 10, both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Treston is power wheelchair dependent while Gavin uses a wheelchair part-time but will use it full time in the near future. The family continues to be very grateful and keep in touch with us on a regular basis. In March, we presented an adaptive bike to 7 year old Riley at the Continental Theatre in Denver. Riley has significant neuromuscular impairment and is dependent on adult assistance with regard to his mobility. He was so excited that it was difficult to get him to stop riding around the lobby. On Saturday, May 10th, Variety of Colorado Board Members and Volunteers gifted 45 bikes, helmets and locks to well deserving children from Deane Elementary and Lasley Elementary from the Jefferson County School District. Children were nominated by their teachers and had to submit a special school essay as part of the Bike for Kids application process. Variety of Colorado partnered with Green Mountain Sports of Lakewood to provide quality bicycles and bike assembly for the event. Deane Elementary also received 15 Polar Heart Monitors from Variety of Colorado. A good time was had by all that attended the screening of "Sex and The City" on Thursday, May 29th, at the Continental Theatre in Denver. Popcorn and soda were provided as well as “Mocktinis” in pink martini glasses. This fun event raised over $3000!!! The 2nd Annual Ride 4 Children Motorcycle Ride took place on June 1st and raised over $2000. Micki and Jeff Paradise chaired this event and did a fantastic job! You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day for the 23rd Annual Golf Tournament at the Interlocken Golf Club in Broomfield on June 2nd. Thank you to all that joined us for a great day of golf! Golfers included members of the Denver Broncos Alumni Club – Tyrone Braxton, Larry Brunson, Dave Preston, Steve Sewell and Billy Thompson. Variety of Colorado raised over $50,000 through our generous sponsors, golfers and silent and live auctions. 
In September, we awarded grants to Ronald McDonald House and Wapiyapi as well as purchasing a SpeechEasy Device for an 8 year old girl, assisted a family in need of a wheelchair lift repair, helped fund the purchase of a wheelchair accessible van for the family of Cody, 15, and Jacob, 7, both are in wheelchairs from Metachromatic Leukodystrophy.
The 22nd Annual Holiday Party was held on December 7th at The Continental Theatre in Denver. 327 kids and 179 adults were treated to breakfast, made crafts, watched "Madagascar 2," kids received gift bags with movie t-shirts, books, a TARGET gift card, movie posters, keychains and all kinds of goodies plus a visit from Santa Claus and his lovely wife, Mrs. Claus!
Thank you to our many sponsors, donors and volunteers who help make Variety of Colorado such a success!
2007 proved to be a very giving year for Variety of Colorado. In April, we gave two very deserving boys adaptive bicycles. These were the first bicycles for Emilio and Candido. We hosted a movie premiere featuring “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in July, which was well received by Harry Potter fans throughout Colorado. Our inaugural Ride 4 Children was held in July. This motorcycle destination ride had over 100 motorcycles participate in a beautiful ride to Estes Park. Our annual golf tournament was held at the Ridge at Castle Pines North. We could not have had better weather for our successful tournament. In September, Jade and Kayla both received adaptive bikes. The bikes brought smiles to the faces of the girls and their families. We kicked off our Bikes for Kids program in November by providing bikes to 17 positive role model students of Independence Elementary School. Each child received a bike, bike lock, helmet and a backpack full of goodies due to their leadership at school. In December, we held our Annual Holiday Party for over 100 children from local organizations throughout the Denver Metro Area. Each child received a back pack of items which included a TARGET gift card. In addition to our holiday party in December, we awarded grants to 5 local organizations: Sports Made Possible, National Sports Center for the Disabled, Jewish Family Service of Colorado, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and Ronald McDonald House. Thank you to our sponsors, donors, board members and volunteers that helped make 2007 a successful year of giving!
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  Above: Miracles in Motion – Riley enjoys riding his new adaptive bike in the lobby of the Regal Continental theatre in Denver, CO.
Above: Miracles in Motion – Candido receives a modified bicycle
at Regal Theaters in Lone Tree, CO. |
2009
We are also excited about our partnership with 
