Posts by judyco
An Original Poem: Friendship Over Coffee
Friendship over Coffee By Olivia August, GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis Poet in Residence A CALL FOR ME!!! To drink coffee with a friend! Mask on or not, it’s a call To go get coffee with a friend! Four words that make my day, Someone cares enough to say. “Let’s go get coffee.” OH, I am so…
Read MoreThank you “Seas the Day Gala Sponsors!”
Thank you to our generous 2020-2021 Gala Sponsors for partnering with GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis for a special night to raise necessary funds to change lives! The Virtual Experience will be on March 27th, starting at 7pm. We appreciate your commitment to help provide free, life-changing programs to individuals with Down syndrome! “BEST OF ALL” PREMIER…
Read MoreParticipant Best of All – International Explorer Alicia
This month’s participant #bestofall goes to Alicia! We love seeing GiGi’s participants becoming strong leaders. Alicia is a very outgoing and capable young woman. When she is not at her day job working at a local school, she serves as a GiGi’s Playhouse Intern. Alicia is always enthusiastically coming up with new ideas and has…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight – Kate & Kathy Rudkin
This month’s volunteer spotlight is shining on Kate and Kathy Rudkin, an incredible mother and daughter duo! Kate is a Literacy Tutor bursting with high energy, high expectations and bursting positivity. She found GiGi’s Playhouse through her daughter Kathy, who is also a GiGi’s volunteer. Kate describes herself as a “natural born teacher”, with a…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Sarah Kellner “Community is Unity”
The Yoga Army has been a wonderful addition to GiGi’s Playhouse programming! We are so grateful for Sarah Kellner who volunteered to provide an inclusive Yoga program on Wednesday afternoons every week. What a joy! Sarah is a Reading Interventionist at Severn Middle School, and she also is the Yoga Club Leader. Sarah brings so…
Read MoreAll You Need is LOVE
Annapolis Bouquet Blitz Let your someone special know how much you care. Order an Annapolis bouquet or blitz Valentine edition: Heart Blossoms, handmade by GiGi’s participant artists. 100% of your donation supports free programming for individuals with Down syndrome at GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis such as: 1:1 tutoring in math and literacy 1:1 Speech therapy Group…
Read MoreThe Polar Express makes its way to GiGi’s!
Before heading back to the North Pole, we were fortunate to have Santa’s presence at GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis (six feet apart of course)! With fabulous leadership from Ellen Zielinski, support from GiGi’s volunteers, Junior League of Annapolis, and the Chesapeake Ballet Company, the Playhouse was able to hold a safe and successful event to spread…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Sharon Pohl – Crawlers & Walkers Physical Therapist
Sharon Pohl has 32 years of experience as a physical therapist working with children with disabilities, so when she retired in July, she was seeking a volunteer experience where she could use that invaluable background. Speaking of her years with Montgomery County Public Schools and other organizations, she says, “It was extremely rewarding, in a…
Read MoreGiGi’s Has Been A Lifeline!
Your Support Matters This year is the most challenging and difficult time we have ever experienced since we opened our doors in 2018. We had to reinvent the way we reach our participants and their families while keeping health and safety protocols at the forefront of our decisions. 2020 has been filled…
Read MoreGiGi’s Thanksgiving Food Drive – Building Leaders & Helping Neighbors
In the past few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, GiGi’s Fantastic Friends (18+) participants successfully coordinated a food drive to collect food and other items to donate to the local Lighthouse Shelter. The group asked the community to donate items such as traditional Thanksgiving foods like green beans, stuffing, and gravy, as well as gift…
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