Variety is an International Charity which was established in 1928 after a woman abandoned her baby at the Sheriden Theatre in Pittsburgh USA. Local theatre owners used to get together after performances to play cards in a social club they called the "Variety". One night they heard whimpering from the empty theatre and, when they investigated the source of the noise, discovered the little living bundle. The tragic mother had pinned a note to the child's clothing saying that she could no longer care for her, but had heard that theatre people were generous and she hoped they could look after the baby.