A Word From Variety, the Children’s Charity of Texas

Variety, The Children’s Charity of Texas has been empowering children with special needs since 1936. It is because of loyal and generous supporters like Studio Movie Grill that Variety continues to further this mission every day. SMG’s compassion and unwavering support for the special needs community is what makes our partnership so strong.

For the past eight years, SMG has provided precious opportunities, at no cost, for Variety kids and their siblings to attend special movie screenings with a sense of peace that they will not be judged. By altering the sound and lighting, children with special needs are able to sit in the audience and just be the amazing kids that they are.  Not only is this a moment for a child with special needs to be offered a moment to live like any other kid, but it is a moment that an entire family can spend together.

Special Needs Children attend a screening of Smurfs 2 at an SMG location.

Studio Movie Grill has seen incredible growth over the past few years, and because of this, the special needs screenings have thrived as well.  SMG is supporting more Variety kids now than ever before!

To everyone at Studio Movie Grill, thank you for making our kids a priority. These special outings mean more than you will ever know.  

Amanda Ernst

Program Director

Variety, The Children’s Charity of Texas

 

SMG Wheaton Chef Castano Penn on SMG Chefs for Children

SMG Chef Castano Penn initiated the SMG Chefs for Children program in April, 2013. 5% of the proceeds from Chefs for Children menu items are donated to nonprofits aiding families with special needs children.

Being a chef and feeding others isn’t just about food – for me, it’s also always been a way to nurture people. I can show someone I’m thinking about them by preparing their favorite dish, taking into account an allergy, or preparing a dish for someone who has recently been sick or stressed out.

This perspective is what spurred me to create the SMG Chefs for Children program. Chefs are creative and nurturing folks – what better way to combine the two than this program which allows our chefs to create their own specials all while helping kids in their own communities?

This program is personal to me. My five year old son is autistic. My wife and I are so fortunate that there has been so much more research done in this area and we are grateful for the programs that help our son reach his ultimate potential. Children deserve amazing opportunities and I thought this program could be my small way of saying, “You’re important, we care about you, and we’re going to do what we can to help!”

I’m thrilled that SMG home office was receptive to my idea and I am really happy with the energy with which this program has been greeted! I look forward to more charitable partnering in the future!

Jorie Meyer of WDSRA says…

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association

What has Studio Movie Grill-Wheaton done for us, you ask?

What have they not done for us!

SMG has supported the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) since the day they opened. Creating a partnership together to help one another, we are happy to spread       the word about their Special Screenings for people with disabilities. An opportunity where parents can bring their child to a movie without worrying about them being disruptive, pacing the theatre, or laughing out loud at inappropriate times. WDSRA families our thrilled with these opportunities!

In addition, SMG has provided us with complimentary movie tickets for our day programs, day camps, and our Movie Critics and Cinema Cruisers movie programs. Our participants are constantly asking if we can go back to SMG. The atmosphere, the service, they have it all! Thank you SMG for supporting WDSRA, you are truly making a difference in the community!

Jorie A. Meyer, CTRS
WDSRA

The WDSRA Rec & Roll group enjoys an outing to SMG Wheaton.