Take action at school and learn how to help build a more inclusive world!
Variety Schools Program
Youth are coming together from across the province to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity, to volunteer in the community, and to stretch leadership skills and fundraise for Variety. Together, we’re breaking down barriers and building communities where all kids can thrive.
Join the Variety Schools program today and get started with our FREE resources, workshops and more!
Variety is helping BC schools expand on the core competency of personal and social responsibility by offering a one-of-a-kind service-learning program that empowers students to make a tangible impact right at home in your community.
Students explore themes such as accessibility, health equity, cyberbullying, and diversity in the classroom. Then, youth can take action by volunteering at a community event supporting Variety, or plan their own event and host a school fundraiser for Variety while developing leadership and collaborative skills, improving financial literacy, and inspiring their peers!
We’re here every step of the way with a dedicated team of trained youth-facilitators to help motivate your students in age-appropriate classroom workshops, school assemblies, leadership camps and more! We give you the tools to empower the next generation of change-makers. Our program is fully customizable to suit the interests and needs of your school, and most importantly… a whole lot of fun!
Getting Involved is Easy!
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Tell us about your school for a customized experience that supports your unique community of change makers! Get started with the Variety Schools program by completing our 60 second registration survey! Whether your students are raising awareness, volunteering or fundraising, you can get involved in a capacity that works for you and make a BIG difference!
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Investigate & Learn
Learn more about all the ways Variety BC helps kids reach their fullest potential. Check out our “5 Pillars” in your FREE fundraising toolkit to learn more about all the ways Variety transforms lives and decide how your school will make an impact!
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Get Your FREE Fundraising Toolkit
Download the Variety Schools Fundraising Toolkit for thoughtfully developed campaigns that simplify the process of hosting fundraising events. Kits include tools to help you recruit volunteers, plan, and set goals for your fundraiser!
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Bring Variety to your School
Book a Classroom Workshop for your students to help set goals, create a road map, and equip your school with some fun tips and tricks to get your action planning started. Variety offers engaging and age-appropriate workshops to BC schools, PLUS inspiring and interactive assemblies to motivate your students! Stay tuned to find out when Variety Schools will be in your community OR email us to request a workshop or assembly!
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Your “Take Action” Web Page
Variety will (optionally) set your school up with its very own, private and customizable web page where you can share updates and photos with your school community about what you’re learning and how your students are taking action! Plus, you can choose to collaborate with other schools nearby and raise funds directly on your page to reach loved ones near and far, instantly helping Variety!
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Celebrate
Celebrate your accomplishments together with a good old fashioned school spirit day! Check out what other schools are doing to celebrate in your free fundraising toolkit! Honouring your student’s commitment to a better world & recognizing their achievements is of utmost importance to Variety. Let us know how your school would like to be celebrated, and we’ll make sure to report back on the impact you’ve made in a way that’s meaningful to you!
Variety Schools Fundraising Resources
Fundraising Toolkit
Download your FREE Variety Schools Fundraising Toolkit including posters, parent letters and more.
Get Started with your School’s “Take Action” Web Page
Share updates and photos with your school community about what you’re learning and the unique ways in which your students are taking action! Plus, you can choose to collaborate with other schools nearby and raise funds directly on your page to reach loved ones near and far, instantly helping Variety!
Need support? Email Anna with your ideas to get set up with your very own school page!
Join our Elementary School Community
Are you PAC-led or an educator working with students from kindergarten to grades 6 to 7? Join our thriving community of elementary schools that support Variety BC.
Join our Middle & Secondary School Community
Are you an educator teaching a leadership class with students from grades 7 to 12 or a high school student interested in starting a club with the goal of contributing to your community? Join our thriving community of middle and secondary schools that support Variety BC.
Variety BC is committed to protecting the privacy of youth and does not knowingly solicit personal information from children under 13 years of age without parental or guardian consent. Variety collects personal information to operate the Variety Schools program in accordance to our Privacy Policy. Participants of this program consent to providing personal information (including your name and email address) for the purposes of Variety providing service-learning resources and support where required. If a child has provided us with personal information without parental or guardian consent, please email us at [email protected] for the purpose of deleting this information.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Variety Schools Program, please contact Anna Polden by email or call her directly.
Want to upgrade your school to be more inclusive and accessible with a $10,000 grant? Click on the School Grants button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the money our school raises in support of Variety BC go?
For over 55 years, Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC has stepped in where health care ends, providing direct help to children and their families and ensuring that all children have the support they need to reach their fullest potential and thrive. Your donation helps Variety BC to cover a wide range of assistance from adaptive & mobility equipment, educational bursaries and tutoring for children with learning disabilities, specialized therapies (such as speech & language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, equine therapy, music therapy, autism assessments, and psycho-educational assessments), and mental wellness counselling. We’re one of the oldest registered charities in BC! Our Registered Charity number is: #108168709.
Will our school or supporters receive a tax receipt?
- Schools will receive an unofficial tax receipt by mail acknowledging your donation to Variety BC.
- Parents and supporters who require an official tax receipt can receive one from Variety BC:
- For those who donate directly to your school’s online fundraising page set up by Variety BC, a tax receipt will be issued immediately by e-mail.
- For those who prefer to donate offline, a personal cheque can be made payable to Variety – the Children’s Charity and mailed to 4300 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6C6. Please ensure your school’s name is written in the cheque memo. We’ll add donations made by personal cheque to your school’s fundraising total, and a tax receipt will be mailed to the individual donor.
Where can I find more tools and resources to help organize my school fundraiser?
Variety BC has developed a FREE Fundraising Toolkit specifically for schools! Let us do some of the heavy lifting with pre-built fundraising campaigns, thoughtful conversation starters and reflection prompts for students, and action planning worksheets that can help take your event to the next level. Visit the Variety Schools Fundraising Program page on our website to download your toolkit today! If you have a great idea for the toolkit that you feel is missing, please feel free to reach out to Anna Polden at [email protected]. We’re always thrilled to collaborate with students and teachers, and are here to work with you to build a stronger school community across the province!
How do we set up our school’s online take action web page?
Variety BC is pleased to offer schools their very own online take action page where you can share updates and photos with your school community about what you’re learning and how your students are taking action! You will also find tools to help you get those first few donations, update your community on your progress, share photos and video, and where friends and family can donate directly to your cause! Visit the Variety Schools Fundraising Program page on our website to get started. If you need support setting up your page, please contact Anna Polden at [email protected].
Can Variety BC visit our school?
Absolutely!
Variety BC offers free classroom workshops and school assemblies to help inspire & motivate students, and help you with action planning so that your school can make a big difference in the lives of kids right here at home! Email Anna Polden at [email protected] to inquire on opportunities to bring Variety BC to your school or visit the Variety Schools Fundraising Program page on our website to see when we’ll be touring through your neighbourhood next!