GiGi’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...
GiGi’s Thanksgiving Food Drive – Building Leaders & Helping Neighbors
Co-chairs and Fantastic Friends Leader Jenn organizing food donations. 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...
GiGi’s Playhouse Treasures Denise Brant
Dee & Denise volunteering at the Harvest Thyme Restaurant Dine to Donate event. 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...
GiGi’s Participant Shocks Martial Arts Community
Samantha holds the boards she breaks! 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,...
Volunteer 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...
GiGi’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...
GiGi’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...
GiGi’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...
Volunteer 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...
GiGi’s Kitchen – A Recipe for Fun, Skills & Leadership
Jared skillfully prepares chicken shawarma. "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 ...
Volunteer Spotlight: Ruby – Speech Language Pathologist
Ruby and her sidekick Loki 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...
Annapolis 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). The First Lady Yumi Hogan is radiant as she shows her Annapolis Bouquet Blitz flowers made with...