Variety Club Telethon is March 4

by Karen Keefe Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, February 22-24, 2007 The Variety Kids Telethon 2007 is just around the corner – on Sunday, March 4 – and Honorary Chairman Frank Budwey said he is enthusiastic about the event and what it can accomplish to help area children. “The more you see, the more you want to help out,” Budwey said of the young beneficiaries of Telethon fund-raising. All funds raised by the Variety Kids Telethon benefit the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Robert Warner Rehabilitation programs – and many other local charities benefiting children that Variety serves. “All the people in the food industry have been great – they all help out,” said Budwey – owner of Budwey supermarkets in North Tonawanda and Buffalo. His supermarkets, and others throughout Western New York, sell attractive paper hearts at the checkout lines that raise funds for the Telethon. Budwey’s has been selling the hearts for eight years. He estimates that grocers will raise between $150,000 and $160,000 for this year’s campaign.

Honorary Telethon Chairman Frank Budwey with 2007 Celebrity Child Bailey Walsh of Hamburg.

The 45th annual telethon will be broadcast Sunday, March 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on WKBW-TV, Ch. 7. The program originates live from the Courtyards of the Millennium Airport Hotel in Cheektowaga. Channel 7 personalities will pitch viewers for their contributions. Headlining the entertainers is Clifton Davis, an actor, singer, composer, producer and minister. Others include singer Terry Buchwald, with his well-known Elvis tribute act, and “American Idol’s” John Stevens.

Rosa DiPaola is the Telethon chairwoman.

Budwey has been involved in the Telethon for the past four years as a member of the Food Brokers division, lending his lifetime experience in the food industry to the cause of the children the Telethon helps.

He mentioned all the stores participating in Telethon fund-raising along with Budwey’s: Tops, Wegmans, Market in the Square, Jubilee, Quality Market and Wilson Farms, among them.

“At this time of year, (for the Telethon) we’re not competitors, now we’re friends and on the same team.”

Budwey said fund-raisers are held year-round to benefit the Variety Kids. A recent one was the 15th annual Dance Back in Time, held last Saturday at the Hearthstone Manor. “It was like a party for the kids.” He said 60 to 70 children were enjoying the music of two great bands. “They were just dancing and wiggling. It was just awesome,” he said. The youngsters were given Mardi Gras beads and hats as part of the celebration.

He also singled out for praise restaurateur Russ Salvatore, who he said put on a “top shelf” dinner for 400 people. “He didn’t take a penny,” of the proceeds. “That $20,000 went right to the Telethon.”

The telethon’s 2007 Celebrity Child is Bailey Walsh, 7, of Hamburg. The young girl has had many surgeries following a difficult, premature birth that left her with many complications, including brain damage and orthopedic problems. She is a fighter, and with the help of many miracles worked through Children’s Hospital, she can now walk with assistance. She is thriving in her first-grade class at Big Tree Elementary School.

Budwey said he and his fellow grocers work hard to help the children. “You see how they progress and get better,” he said of the youngsters who’ve benefited from the Telethon over the years he has been involved. “It’s so rewarding – you feel so good to be a part of it.”