LOS ANGELES, CA – Variety – The Children’s Charity has partnered with Twentieth Century Fox to create the 17th annual Gold Heart pin for Variety’s signature fundraiser. The 2006-2007 Gold Heart campaign is based on “Eragon,” a fantasy adventure for young people based on the phenomenally successful novel by Christopher Paolini – the first book in the young author’s epic Inheritance Trilogy. The book’s most fantastical character – a flying dragon named Saphira – arrives via the high-tech wizardry of the industry’s most honored visual effects houses: WETA Digital (the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “King Kong”) and Industrial Light & Magic (the “Star Wars” films, “Jurassic Park”). In addition, WETA created “Eragon’s” climactic and massive battle scene, in which the forces of good, led by the young Dragon Rider Eragon and Saphira, battle the armies of the evil King Galbatorix.

More than 2,000 movie theatres throughout the United States will sell the Eragon pin, which features the image of a dragon set against a background of blue lightning. The campaign begins prior to the Thanksgiving weekend and will continue throughout the holiday season. As in previous years, the Eragon pins will be sold internationally as well.

Jack Foley, president of the Board of Directors for Variety – The Children's Charity of the United States, comments, “Variety is honored to work with Twentieth Century Fox this year. The sourcing of the pin with this blockbuster holiday film will ensure a successful fundraising campaign that will benefit children in need worldwide.”

Bruce Snyder, Fox’s president of domestic distribution, added, “We at Fox have long supported the important work of Variety – The Children’s Charity. And we’re delighted and proud to be a part of their campaign this holiday season – and to be part of an industry that has always provided help where it’s most needed.”

This is the charity’s sixth year partnering with a Hollywood film studio to create a Gold Heart pin featuring a film or character. Last year’s Zathura Gold Heart campaign raised more than $2 million in the United States. The partnership between Variety and the motion picture industry has raised a total of $95 million worldwide.

Foley commends Variety's Southern California chapter for leading the way in film studio support of the Gold Heart campaign. He adds, “Variety is profoundly grateful to all the motion picture studios for their commitment to the Gold Heart campaign. The annual event could not be undertaken without the dedication that the studios offer Variety every year. Variety is especially grateful to Twentieth Century Fox for its generous support and holds the motion picture studio in the highest respect for its will to help children in need.”

With a seven-decade legacy of caring for children across the globe, Variety has grown to 51 chapters in 13 countries, raising more than $1 billion to assist the treatment and care for disabled and disadvantaged children. Variety's legacy continues thanks to the support, partnerships and sponsorships provided by major motion picture studios, movie theatres, national and international retailers and major corporations.

To list only a few of Variety's accomplishments: It assists physically-limited children through the National Mobility Program, which provides medical treatment and special equipment for afflicted children to help them become more mobile. In addition, many disabled children are served by Variety’s specially-equipped Sunshine Coaches, which are used to transport children to therapy, treatment, special events and enrichment programs. Variety also supports children’s hospitals, funds local camps and boys & girls clubs, and encourages literacy through special reading programs at public schools.

For more information contact:
Variety – The Children’s Charity of the United States
5757 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 445
Los Angeles, CA 90036
tel: 323.954.0821
fax: 323.954.8630
email: info@usvariety.org