GiGi’s Birthday-In-A-Bag Team Delivers Smiles!

As my friends and peers struggled to figure out how they were going to give back to the community and earn their National Honor Society hours during a pandemic, I never had to think twice. Immediately, I knew I wanted to work with GiGi’s Playhouse. I sent Judy a message asking what she thought would…

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GiGi’s National Leadership Conference 2021

The GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis Team had jam-packed, well-spent five days with staff, volunteers and supporters from around the GiGi’s Playhouse Network at the National Leadership Conference in the Chicago-area . Coming together and sharing ideas with 257 attendees, 85 speakers, 78 sessions, 77 countries, 61 locations, 5 days, all with 1 voice – changing the…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Barb DeCheubel

Barb is an amazing volunteer; she steps up wherever and whenever needed, she even changed her travel plans to help GiGi’s with the Navy Stadium Concessions Fundraiser! Wow, what a generous person! Barb has volunteered in support of many of our programs including GiGi Prep, Art Explosion, Fantastic Friends, International Explorers and Yoga. She always…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Kamarri – “Intuitive & Kind Spirit”

Today we are shining the GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis Volunteer Spotlight on Kamarri, a terrific GiGi’s volunteer. Finding out about GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis: As a junior in high school, students are required to complete a summer project that helps other people. Kamarri and his mom Marsha first looked for a food bank in the area, but…

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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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GiGi’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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GiGi’s Great Gatsby Party Reflects the Era 95 Years Earlier

By Doni Dondero Maryland had just closed its nonessential businesses in March 2020, so what’s a party-planning team to do?  Go virtual, of course.  GiGi’s members of the Dancetastic Committee and its leaders Olivia and Emily, moved forward with a May 22 dance themed around the 1925 F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, The Great Gatsby. The…

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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 Season of Service

By: Mary Kenion The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” conveys new meaning for parents who have a child with Down syndrome. As one of those parents, I struggled to create such a village for Mylo that wasn’t totally dependent on doctors, specialists, therapists and immediate family along with his twin brother…

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