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As Las Vegas continues to transform from a small gambling town into a major metropolis,
one thing remains unchanged: The business of entertainment is the driving force behind Las
Vegas’ success. No city in the world can claim a greater tie to show business than Las Vegas,
and no story of our city’s rich, vibrant history would be complete without noting the vast
contributions of those in the show business industry that have made our community home.
And at the very heart of it all is Variety.
Affectionately called “The Heart of Show Business”—
and for good reason—Variety The Children’s Charity
of Southern Nevada was founded in 1950 with the
mission to build and staff what would be the first
school in Southern Nevada for children with special
needs.
Through the generosity of stars like Red Skelton,
Jack Benny, Vincent Price and Jane Russell; the hard
work of Chief Barker Ben Goffstein; and the kind words and endorsements from community
members like Hank Greenspun; the Variety School for Special Education opened its doors in
1952.
And from there, Variety blossomed, becoming Las Vegas’ most recognizable and respected
charity for years to come. In December of 1952, Jack Benny made his first appearance in a
“supper club” to support Variety. In April, Las Vegas hosted Variety’s International Convention
and the whole town got involved. Businesses welcomed conventioneers with signs and
streamers; downtown Las Vegas hosted a parade at which tens of thousands crammed the
sidewalks to see their favorite performers; and Variety’s “Night of Stars” took over Cashman
Field and became the toughest ticket in town.
 Soon, Variety was the talk of the town. Stars like
Sammy Davis, Jr., Ed Sullivan, Carol Channing and
Jane Powell filled rooms at the Silver Slipper, Thunderbird
and Flamingo Hotels to aid Variety’s mission
to improve the quality of life for children with special
needs. With community support overflowing, Variety
opened the Variety Day Home in 1956 to accommodate
the child care needs of low-income working
families. And not far behind were the John F. Miller
School, Sunshine Coach Program, and Bikes for Kids
Program, all of which still bring smiles to the faces of
children in our community today.
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It is almost impossible to talk about Las Vegas as it was or Las
Vegas as it is today without mentioning Variety. Variety staged
the very first event at the new Las Vegas Convention Hall in
1959—with the help of actresses Elizabeth Taylor and Joan
Crawford. In fact, some of the most influential people in Las
Vegas history—Marjorie Barrick, Jackie Gaughan, and M.B.
Dalitz, just to name a few—have played a substantial role in
Variety’s success.
Today, as we celebrate the influential citizens who
have shaped our rich history, we keep in mind that
the real stars are the children who make Variety
worth investing in. For children living with profound
disabilities, simple actions like getting in and out of
bed, opening a door, and even playing with toys are
often insurmountable challenges. Because of Variety’s
past and continued influence in Southern Nevada,
these children may be blessed now with
medical and educational support. But when you’re a
kid, going to school and the doctor are far less important
than riding a bike and playing at the park.
Variety understands this and has tailored its services to focus on improving the quality of life
for children with special needs.
As the story of Las Vegas enters a new chapter, Variety will continue to open its heart to children
in need, enlisting a new generation of leaders
to ensure that our mission is carried out—until
every child is given a chance to enjoy being a
kid. It’s said that the more things change, the
more they stay the same. Las Vegas may not
look like it did when Variety was founded in
1950, but behind the fancy facades and the hitech
displays are people who share the same beliefs
of our founders: Within the Heart of a Child
Resides the Light of the World.
