Professional LAX Athlete Kathy Rudkin is Passionate On and Off The Field

GiGi's Volunteer Woman Lacrosse player profile

By Doni Dondero Kathy has an energetic nine-year-old cousin with Down syndrome in California who is her “bright light” and inspiration for volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse, all the way across the country in Annapolis. Kathy and her student lacrosse players at the Severn School, where she is the Varsity head coach, led GiGi’s AcceptDance event…

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All 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…

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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 a safe manner. We have…

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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 Special Education at Vanderbilt University.…

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February Program Buzz

Join in purposeful programs planned at the Playhouse in February! Simply RSVP online. No cost for organized and led programs. Invite siblings and friends! Special Events: Dine to Donate! The Italian Market (All families) Invite family and friends for lunch or dinner…socialize and enjoy delicious food while raising needed funds for GiGi’s Playhouse free programs.…

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A Move In The Right Direction

BY: The Axtell Family GiGi’s Playhouse has been an irreplaceable bee hive of activities for our 47-year-old son Mark after our recent move from the Seattle, Washington area.  Our stressful cross-country move was one of those “had-to-do things” to get Mark near his beloved sister as we aging parents who are both in our 80’s…

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From Austria with Love!

Hey there! Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Christina, I’m 21 years old and I’m from a country far away called Austria. I came to Annapolis a few months ago to do some volunteer work. I didn’t know what journey I had ahead of me, I didn’t have any expectations and I…

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Reflections on the Road

By Joan Peddicord I’ve been part of the GiGi’s Annapolis family since May, 2018, when I volunteered for the Literacy summer pilot and then the Fall program.  A few years earlier, I had learned about GiGi’s from a segment on the national news and knew I wanted to volunteer.  Fast forward to retirement, and I…

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Drum Roll Please! Raymond’s “Best of All”

We have been planning to bring drumming to our Playhouse for some time but were not having any luck finding drums and a leader. One day we spotted a video on Facebook of Raymond, our Playhouse participant, drumming in a Washington, D.C. street concert and saw his amazing talent! Now we knew exactly who could…

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Exciting Fall Session Programs!

LMNOP (Birth-3 years) LMNOP is an interactive and engaging program designed to guide parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication using music and language-based activities.  We recommend this program for ages Birth-3 Years. Tuesdays: RSVP for Sept. 17, 10-11 am RSVP for Sept. 24, 10-11 am  Saturday: RSVP…

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