The eleven founding members in 1927, with Catherine firmly in the group's care.

Catherine Variety Sheridan at about age 5

When Catherine was five, her foster parents were selected from more than 300 applicants in a location away from Pittsburgh and her anonymity was preserved in her best interest. Her new family changed her name to Joan.

She later served her country as an officer in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and as a registered nurse in Vietnam. Joan raised a family of her own and spent much time working with children. She took great pride in the fact that she had “started it all”.

As Mrs. Joan Mrlik, she lived in Charleston, South Carolina, where she died of cancer in 1994. Her inspirational story that motivated the establishment of Variety the Children’s Charity lives on. Her memory remains strong in the hearts of every member of the Variety family.

Mrs. Joan Mrlik (Catherine Variety Sheridan) pictured in 1994 

 
81 YEARS OF HEART: Over the years, Variety has been honored by the generous support of some of the biggest stars in the entertainment business. As we approach our 82nd Anniversary next year, we will be looking back over the contributions of some of these truly legendary people.

Pictured, clockwise from top left: Cary Grant, Barbara (Mrs. Frank) Sinatra, Frank Sinatra, HSH Princess Grace of Monaco, Gregory Peck, Burt Reynolds, Carol Channing, George Burns.)

 
Variety’s first banquet was held under a “Circus Big Top” — complete with circus acts, sideshows, popcorn and cotton candy. The insignia for the affair was a mustached "barker" wearing a high silk hat.

This enormously successful event was the beginning of Variety's circus tradition: the Barker became the official logo, each chapter was called a "Tent," its members were "Barkers," the president, the "Chief Barker," the treasurer, "Dough Boy," and the secretary, "Property Master."