What if your child said “I love you” for the first time thanks to an iPad?

That’s just one of the many moments families experience with Variety’s life-changing programs.

In this episode, Josh Leonard sits down with Tom Baker, CEO of Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh, to share powerful stories about helping children with disabilities participate in everyday joys like riding a bike, going to the grocery store, or simply being heard. 

From adaptive strollers to communication tools, this episode is full of remarkable victories that make a difference close to home.

Tom discusses:

• The impact of Variety’s My Bike®, My Voice®, and My Stroller® programs on kids with disabilities and their families
• How a bike becomes more than just equipment, it becomes a bridge to friendship, inclusion, and physical health
• Why the My Voice iPad program is giving nonverbal children a way to say “I love you” to their parents
• Stories from families who experience daily wins thanks to adaptive tools, from grocery trips to school events
• How retirees and local communities can get involved to give back through volunteering, donations, and mentorship
• And more!

Resources:

• Schedule a meeting with the team
• Help create life-changing moments for local kids! Donate to Variety today.

Connect with Josh Leonard: 

• jleonard@leonardadvisorygroup.com
• LinkedIn: Josh Leonard
• Leonard Advisory Group
• 412-998-PLAN
• YouTube: Leonard Advisory Group
• Facebook: Leonard Advisory Group

Connect with Tom Baker:

• tom@varietypittsburgh.org 
• LinkedIn: Tom Baker 
• Variety Children’s Charity Pittsburgh

About Our Guest: 

Tom proudly serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Variety- The Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh. With a mission to empower children with disabilities to live life to the fullest, Variety provides life-changing adaptive mobility and communication equipment. Variety focuses on three core programs: My Bike®, My Stroller®, and My Voice® throughout 59 counties in PA. Previously, he was Executive Director of North Hills Community Outreach. For 12 years, Tom served as the Chief Community Affairs Officer/Vice President of Programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh and as President of the BBBS Pennsylvania State Association. He has volunteered as a Big Brother to his little brothers Preston (since 2002), Eric (since 2010), E.J. (since 2015), Eddie (since 2018), and Brian (since 2024) and as a Tutor at Anchorpoint with Ethan (since 2021). He is the Founder/Chief Program Officer of Get Involved!, Inc., and since 2008 has spoken with over 500,000 students, young professionals, and lifelong learners at over 1.000 colleges, corporations, and civic groups across the country.

Tom served as President of the Pittsburgh East Rotary Club (2010-12)and President of the Hampton Rotary Club (2023-25). He is President of the Job Corps Community Relations Council, Chair-Elect of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber, Past President of NSA Pittsburgh, and Past President of the PUMP Board. Tom received the 2023 Pittsburgh Business Times C-Suite Award, the 2025 Heart of Hampton Award, the 2022 Ross Township Citizen of the Year Award, the 2022 North Hills School District Community Service Award, and was named to the City & State PA 2022 Nonprofit Power 100 List. In 2009, he received the Distinguished Civic Leadership Award from Millersville, and in 2014, he was honored with the MU Young Alumni Achievement Award. Junior Achievement recognized Tom with the 2018 Mayor Caliguiri Good Samaritan Award, and the PNRC honored him with the 2018 Young Professional Award. The Monroeville Area Chamber selected him as the 2011 Young Business Leader of the Year, and Pittsburgh Magazine named him a “40 Under 40” honoree in 2014 and Three Rivers Champion winner in 2017. In Community Magazine, Tom was named 2014 Volunteer of the Year for Ross Township, and he received the 2015 Indiana University of PA Young Alumni Achievement Award. In 2017, he received the Dick Spahr Compassion in Action Award from NHCO. Tom was a 2010 Jefferson Award for Public Service honoree, received the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award from Coro, and was a 2013 Pittsburgh Business Times Fast Track honoree.