Since 1976, Firstrust Bank’s support of Variety — The Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley has helped to improve the lives of countless individuals with special needs.

Recently, the bank was well represented — in the form of dozens of volunteers; a hefty donation; Trusty, the bank’s beloved mascot; and more — as Variety hosted its 23rd annual Annie Madden Sunshine Games at the nonprofit’s 77-acre campus in Worcester Township.

Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders and Swoop, the team’s mascot, were on hand, thanks to Firstrust, Philadelphia’s Hometown Bank and the Official Bank of the Eagles.

The Sunshine Games honor the memory of Annie Madden, a Variety camp counselor who died tragically in a car accident in 1999. A year after her death, her parents, Jim and Mary Ellen, decided there was no better way to invoke Annie’s memory than an annual care-free day of fun for campers.

Firstrust presented Variety a check for $16,000, the sum of donations from customers and employees, as well as contributions that the bank made for each new account that was opened during a promotional period earlier in the summer.

“We’ve been around for almost 90 years, serving children and young adults with disabilities, and the Sunshine Games are the culmination of our summer activities,” said Dominique Bernardo, the CEO of Variety. “We’ve got high school vocational programs, day camps, and summer school going on, and we have about 110 people showing up on a daily basis (in the summer).”

Variety’s mission is to enrich the lives of children and young adults with disabilities through social, educational, and vocational programs that nurture independence and self-confidence and prepare them for life. Each year, hundreds of families eagerly await coming “home” to Variety for a summer full of rich relationships and engaging activities.

“Firstrust has been a long-time supporter of Variety — for decades now — and we are grateful for the many volunteers who ensure we can offer the Sunshine Games to our participants,” said Bernardo.

She also acknowledged Firstrust’s role in advancing her nonprofit’s mission. Beyond handling its financial needs as a banking partner, Firstrust has been deeply involved, having at least one of its leaders serve on Variety’s Board of Directors for years. Mark Tierney, Firstrust’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Deposits, is that leader now.

“Firstrust helps bring more awareness in the region to Variety and its innovative programming that serves individuals with disabilities starting at age five into adulthood,” said Bernardo. “They’ve run campaigns to support our work, which familiarizes their customers with who we are. As we have taken on a campus revitalization, this awareness and the bank’s support have been key.”

Founded in 1935, Variety operated solely as a fundraising organization, providing financial assistance to children in need. Its flagship day and overnight camp programs began in 1949, when the Posel family generously donated their expansive “country estate” in Worcester Township, allowing Variety to begin onsite programming and become the region’s first summer camp for child survivors of polio. When polio was no longer prevalent, Variety shifted to serve those in the community with the greatest need and fewest resources — children and young adults with a range of physical and intellectual disabilities.

“Ultimately, we want to improve the lives of the individuals we serve, help them improve their own lives, and we think the world will be a better place as a result of that,” said Bernardo. “We’ve undertaken a fundraising campaign that’s probably the most significant project or initiative in our recent history.”

Bernardo said that Variety has a unique advantage in owning such a large campus, but that its infrastructure is aging.

“There’s a lot that’s in need of repair and replacement,” she said. “The children and young adults who come to this campus deserve the best.”

Firstrust’s 48 years of partnering with Variety demonstrates the bank’s commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility and has helped the nonprofit lead the way in social, recreational, educational, and vocational offerings for individuals with disabilities.

“At Firstrust, our partnership with Variety has taken the form of countless volunteer hours, fundraising efforts, and experiences for Variety children,” said Firstrust Bank CEO Tim Abell. “It’s a privilege for Firstrust to continue to be involved in events, like the Annie Madden Sunshine Games, that positively impact the communities we serve.”

Learn more about how Firstrust Bank cultivates prosperity for the communities it serves and partners with leading charitable organizations across the Philadelphia region.