PITTSBURGH — The United Steelworkers (USW) last week congratulated Variety the Children’s Charity.

Variety Pittsburgh serves 54 counties in Pennsylvania and West Virginia by providing adaptive strollers, bikes and communication devices that enable disabled children and their families to enjoy activities that they would not otherwise.

USW International President Leo Gerard said that the charity’s My Stroller, My Bike and My Voice programs have made a huge difference for thousands of families in the Pittsburgh region, including those of union members.

“In the communities hardest hit by job losses due to unfair trade, too many families with disabled children feel the additional isolation of poverty,” Gerard said. “When given the opportunity to show these families that they are not alone and to change a child’s life for the better, we must act on it every time.”

Founded in Pittsburgh in 1927, Variety has grown into an international organization with a network of 42 offices in 13 countries and has raised over $2 billion to help children in need.

The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries.