The late Irv Weinstein was known as a hard-hitting broadcast journalist. As the anchor of Channel 7's "Eyewitness News," he was the voice of news in Buffalo and Southern Ontario for more than three decades.
To Variety, and especially to the Variety children, Weinstein was practically a superhero. For more than 30 years, he spent countless hours on-air leading the charge during the annual Variety Children's Telethon airing on his station, WKBW-TV. His tireless effort helped raise millions of dollars for Women and Children's Hospital, and other children's charities. His compassion for the Variety children was evident every time he appeared with a child.
"For as strong and tough as Irv was in demanding the news presentation be the best that it can be, he was also a softie. He was very touched by the children and families the Variety Telethon helped," said John Di Sciullo, now vice president at WBBZ-TV and former co-worker and long-time friend of Weinstein. "He openly wept on television, not as an act to get people to donate, but because he was truly touched."
For many years, Di Sciullo and Weinstein worked side-by-side, with Weinstein in front of the camera and Di Sciullo behind the scenes as one of the producers of the telethon.
"Irv was the broadcast heart and soul of the Variety Children's Telethon," added attorney Paul Cambria, who serves as chief barker for Variety in Buffalo and Western New York. "He will be deeply and sorely missed. To honor Irv and his work on behalf of the Variety children, this year we will dedicate the Variety Kids' Telethon in his memory."
The annual Variety Kids Telethon is one of the longest-running locally produced telethons in the nation. The event raised $1 million in 2017. Telethon 2018 is scheduled to be broadcast live on WKBW-TV Channel 7 from the Seneca Niagara Casino Events Center in Niagara Falls from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2018.
Known locally as the Variety Club, Variety - "the Children's Charity of Buffalo & WNY" - has been serving the needs of Western New York's sick, disabled and disadvantaged children for more than 80 years. As the area's leading children's charity, the organization has touched the lives of countless children, their families, and the community over the years. The beneficiaries Variety supports include O'Shei Children's Hospital of Buffalo, the Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center, and many other local children's charities. More information is available at
varietybuffalo.org.
