Posts by judyco
GiGi’s Playhouse Treasures Denise Brant
GiGi’s Playhouse Board Treasurer Denise (Dee) Brant and granddaughter Rosie have been coming to the Playhouse since August of 2019. After finding out that Rosie has Down Syndrome, Denise quickly began researching organizations that could serve and support Rosie and the family. She stumbled across GiGi’s Playhouse by accident but is so thankful she did.…
Read MoreGiGi’s Participant Shocks Martial Arts Community
Samantha Shock, a GiGi’s participant since the Playhouse opened, has become the first student with Down Syndrome to earn a black belt in the 31 years that Kick Connection, where she takes instruction, has been open! On top of that, Samantha is the first person with Down Syndrome to earn a black belt on the…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Diane Fantone – Grateful to be Sharing Cooking Skills
Written by: Camille Manuncia, GiGi’s Annapolis Communications Intern Ever since she was a little girl, Diane Fantone has loved to bake. She attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she received her bachelor’s degree in food service management, along with attending the culinary school there. Diane’s personal chef business provides in-home meals…
Read MoreGiGi’s at Home is Perfect for Onboard Living
Written by: Camille Manuncia, GiGi’s Communications Intern This is GiGi’s Annapolis-style! Matthew Gregory has been living on a boat shortly before quarantine began and has been living the Annapolis dream! He lives on a 46′ Grand Banks Trawler with his dad Claude and stepmom Suzy. They spend the winter months in Florida and the summers…
Read MoreGiGi’s Kitchen Theme Song!
Presenting an original “GiGi’s Kitchen Theme Song”, written by a participant and his Mom. By Sam Hening and Suzanne Hening September 23, 2020 Welcome to GiGi’s Kitchen Where no matter the weather It’s always better When we’re cooking up a storm! Meeting up with friends every week Always learning a new technique Chopping and slicing…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse Has Reopened!
Written by: Camille Manuncia, GiGi’s Communications Intern After six long months of not being able to see our friends, we are so happy to announce that the Playhouse has reopened on September 11th! We are so excited to see all of our friends and finally be with them in a safe manner. We have…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Lauren Blachowiak – Fantastic Friends Bonus: Sign Language
Written by: Camille Manuncia, GiGi’s Communications Intern Lauren Blachowiak, a former teacher at The River School in Washington D.C., has become a wonderful leader for the Fantastic Friends Bonus: Sign Language program! Lauren became involved with GiGi’s in Nashville, TN, while studying for her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education at Vanderbilt University.…
Read MoreGiGi’s Kitchen – A Recipe for Fun, Skills & Leadership
“Jared’s dream since he was 7 years old is to become a chef. Thank you GiGi’s for giving him an opportunity to learn new cooking skills and new recipes that will help him make his dream come true!” Denise, Chicago Ginger and Carmen (GiGi’s Annapolis), along with experienced chefs Kristin and…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Ruby – Speech Language Pathologist
Ruby has been volunteering in the LMNOP Program since GiGi’s opened in 2018. She graduated from UW Madison with her MS in speech language pathology and currently works as an SLP in the assistive technology clinic at HSC Pediatric Center in Lanham focusing on augmentative and alternative communication. One of her first patients as graduate student was a little boy with…
Read MoreAnnapolis Bouquet Blitz Fundraiser – Blitz Someone’s Lawn!
To place orders, please text message Annapolis Bouquet Blitz at 443-584-3696 or email annapolisbouquetblitz@gmail.com providing the information on the Annapolis Bouquet Blitz Order Form (no need to print form). Safe at home is something we all understand now that we are in our fifth month of face to face separation from our friends at GiGi’s…
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