MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Non-Profit Partner Spotlight: Variety – the Children’s Charity

MercyOne Children’s Hospital and Variety – the Children’s Charity share a proud, decades-long partnership focused on improving the health and well-being of Iowa’s children. For more than 40 years, these organizations have worked side by side to deliver essential care and support to young patients and their families.

As one of MercyOne Des Moines Foundation’s most generous partners, Variety has contributed over $10.6 million to MercyOne affiliates, including MercyOne House of Mercy and MercyOne Children’s Hospital. This incredible support has helped ensure exceptional care, advanced treatment, and a brighter future for countless children across our community.

“Our partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity is transforming lives,” said Shannon Cofield, President of MercyOne Des Moines Foundation. “Together, we are breaking down barriers to care and ensuring every child has access to the advanced treatment and support they deserve. This collaboration is more than a commitment—it’s a promise to build a healthier, brighter future for Iowa’s children.”

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa awarded two grants to MercyOne Des Moines in 2025 to enhance care for children and families across Central Iowa. The grants supported the furnishing of family visitation rooms at MercyOne House of Mercy, and the purchase of two essential Panda infant warmers for MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

MercyOne House of Mercy offers comprehensive care for individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges, including residential treatment for women. Thanks to grant funding, new furniture will be added to the waiting area and two-family visitation rooms—spaces where children spend time with their parent during treatment. Creating a warm, welcoming environment in these rooms is essential to fostering meaningful connections and providing comfort during these important family visits.

“Variety’s generosity helps create spaces that truly matter,” said Rebecca Peterson, Executive Director of House of Mercy. “By funding new furniture for our waiting and visitation rooms, Variety is helping us provide a warm, welcoming environment where families can reconnect during treatment. These moments of comfort and connection are essential to healing and recovery, and we are incredibly grateful for Variety’s commitment to supporting families on their journey toward hope and wholeness.”

The grant awarded to MercyOne Children’s Hospital was used to purchase two state-of-the-art GE Panda infant warmers, equipped with advanced features that support clinicians in delivering high-quality care to newborns. The grant funds were also used to reconstruct cabinetry in two birthing suites to house the new warmers.

“Panda Warmers are lifesaving tools for our tiniest patients,” said Brittany Blake, Interim Manager of Labor & Delivery at MercyOne. “They provide a stable, controlled environment that helps newborns maintain their body temperature immediately after birth. This warmth is critical for premature or medically fragile babies, giving them the best possible start and reducing stress during those first crucial moments of life.”

Join us in supporting Variety during their 52nd Annual Variety Telethon on February 24, 2026.