Three Children with Down syndrome is the charm in the Holthouse family – Danny, Sammy, & Cammy call America “Home Sweet Home”!

Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day 3-21-21   Each Wednesday morning GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis is alive with excitement waiting for the triple stroller to roll in, according to Site Coordinator Judy Co. Jean Holthouse and her three darling children Danny, Sammy, and Cammy, arrive to engage in the Amina Grace Speech Program. Jean shares that it…

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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…

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Participant 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…

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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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The 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…

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Volunteer 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…

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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 chef business provides in-home meals…

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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 in Florida and the summers…

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Hey Good Lookin’, Whatcha Got Cookin’?

GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis is the host of GiGi’s Kitchen Adult (18+) LIVE every Wednesday night from 5-6pm East Coast time.  Participant Carmen (ably assisted by her Mom Ginger) has been teaching participants from all over the country how to make all kinds of fun, interesting and healthy (well, mostly) recipes for dinner. We’ve been exploring…

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Step To Accept Reaches One Billion Steps!

GiGi’s Step To Accept Virtual Run, Walk and Ride for Global Acceptance made history on Saturday, June 6, 2020 by logging over ONE BILLION steps for Global Acceptance! Thank you to everyone for your overwhelming support of GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis in the first-ever Step to Accept Challenge!  Here are some highlights and photos from the…

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