Beginning this year, Variety – The Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia will partner with the Christian DeRiemer Trust.

This trust was established to help pay for medical expenses and nursing coverage not covered by insurance for Christian DeRiemer, a 17-year-old with muscular dystrophy. He has been dependant on mechanical ventilation, a feeding tube, a motorized wheelchair, and various other medical necessities since he was three years old. His disease has left him with weakened muscles to the point that he is completely dependant on his caregivers. Despite his challenges, Christian is an intelligent young man who attends high school part-time. He is witty and loving with wisdom beyond his years. All who meet him concur that it is a privilege to know him.

Funds for this trust are raised at Christian’s Night Live (CNL), which has become an annual event where friends and supporters of Christian come together for an evening of cocktails, food, and music.

“Christian’s quality of life has been tremendously improved with the increase of nursing coverage that the trust has been able to provide,” said Elizabeth Watkinson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Christian DeRiemer Trust. “He and his family are most grateful to the caring community who so generously support the trust.”

In its first two years, CNL has raised over $130,000. While this was considered a success, the Christian DeRiemer Trust was not able to accept most corporate donations or matching gifts because it did not have nonprofit status. Through this new partnership with Variety, CNL is excited to see its profits grow even more in its third year, as all contributions are now tax-deductible and matching gifts are now permitted.

“This partnership makes sense for the Charity, as we are constantly striving to improve the quality of life for children like Christian DeRiemer,” said Andrew Pack, Executive Director of Variety – The Children’s Charity. “We are happy to be involved with a worthwhile cause that fits with our mission and so positively impacts the community.”

Variety has been providing programs and services for children with physical and/or developmental disabilities in the Delaware Valley since 1935. It aims to assist children like Christian and is thrilled to help make the 3rd Annual Christian’s Night Live a success.

*Variety – The Children’s Charity recently changed its name from Variety Club.