The Walk For Variety 5 mile Walk-A-Thon starts this Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at the Alki Bath House to raise money for Variety the Children's Charity. You needn't pre-register. Simply show up and mailing envelopes will be provided to send in your donations.

Seattle Lutheran High School student Brian Simmonds, 18 of Burien, is organizing the walk for his senior project.

"I saw a notice about the organization in a movie theater so I contacted them," said Simmonds. "They were glad I contacted and said they wanted more people in our area to know about Variety. I believe there will be people from my high school participating."

There used to be a Northwest Chapter here, and they still encourage fundraisers in this area.

The organization is called "The Variety Club" because 11 men gathered in Pittsburgh in 1927, each representing a facet of the entertainment business. Actors involved with Variety have included Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and Princess Grace. Presidents and world leaders (for Variety Intl.) have included Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau, Margaret Thatcher, and Gold Meir.

According to Varitey's website, Variety Kids on the Go! aims to help kids gain mobility, confidence, freedom, independence and the chance to join in the life of their community by providing funding for walkers, wheelchairs, specially-designed adaptive bikes, strollers, prosthetic limbs and other devices to families with the most need. The program also puts more Sunshine Coaches, specially-equipped passenger vans, on the road to provide mobility-disadvantaged children with much-needed transportation to medical care, school, and outreach activities.

"We provide funding for children who are disabeled, disadvantaged, when insurance won't and families can't," said Erica Lopez, National Manager, Variety Children's Charity of the United States, based in Los Angeles. "With certain adaptations these children are able to propel themselves, exercise, increase their range of motion, and participate with friends and classmates outside.

"Kids grow up fast, and may not be eligible (through insurance) for some time when they outgrow their wheelchairs. To request our help, you can go to www.usvariety.org and link to 'How to get help', fill out an application, get a letter from physical therapist and a doctor's prescription to confirm the equipment specifically needed for the child. We have a committee review applications and help as many as we can."

There are over 20 chapters nationwide. Lopez said that while there is currently no Seattle Chapter the organization tries to keep the money raised in the area to benefit local children.