{"id":142174,"date":"2026-03-20T10:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T14:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/?p=142174"},"modified":"2026-04-10T10:29:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T14:29:12","slug":"gigis-5k-team-spotlight-callies-crew-and-the-power-of-sharing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/uncategorized\/gigis-5k-team-spotlight-callies-crew-and-the-power-of-sharing","title":{"rendered":"GiGi’s 5K Team Spotlight: Callie’s Crew and the power of sharing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every team that shows up for the GiGi\u2019s 5K Dash for Down Syndrome brings something special, but some teams remind us just how far a little visibility, connection, and heart can go. This year, Callie\u2019s Crew<\/a><\/strong> did exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Named for their vibrant and determined 11-year-old daughter, Callie, this team has been a familiar and beloved part of our 5K for years. But in 2026, something simple turned into something powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Callie running in our 2023 5K!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As part of this event\u2019s fundraising efforts, teams who raised at least $321 by March 1 received a yard sign featuring a QR code linking directly to their team page. Callie\u2019s Crew proudly placed theirs in the yard and what happened next was a beautiful reminder of how community shows up in unexpected ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Callie’s school bus driver noticed the sign and later handed Callie\u2019s mom, Erin, a $10 bill to support the team. He shared that his niece in Nashville, who has Down syndrome, is about to graduate high school. In that moment, a sign became a connection\u2014one family\u2019s story reaching another\u2019s, united by shared experiences and hope for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Callie and her bus driver share a special connection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And it didn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neighbors, curious and inspired by the sign, began scanning the QR code and contributing to Callie\u2019s Crew. What started as a fundraising tool quickly became a conversation starter\u2014spreading awareness, building connections, and inviting others into Callie\u2019s world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more meaningful, Callie\u2019s school community showed up in a big way. After years of searching for the right educational fit, her family has found supportive educators who truly see and celebrate her. This year, one of her teachers joined the race, while another made a donation\u2014powerful gestures that speak volumes about inclusion, belief, and belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked why they participate, Erin shared that Callie \u201calways tries hard and loves to learn,\u201d describing her daughter as having \u201cthe sweetest smile, a sparkle in her eye, and a spunky spirit that always adds a bit of spice.\u201d That spirit shines brightly in everything Callie does from the classroom to the racecourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At GiGi\u2019s Playhouse Atlanta, Callie\u2019s favorite program is GiGiFIT, where she can move to music alongside friends, building strength, confidence, and joy with every step. It\u2019s just one of the many ways she gives her \u201cBest of All\u201d each day.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Callie giving her Best of All in GiGiFIT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For Callie\u2019s family, GiGi\u2019s Playhouse is more than a place; it\u2019s a cornerstone of their community. As Erin shared, \u201cBeing a part of GiGi\u2019s Playhouse is so special and a huge part of Callie\u2019s world. We\u2019re so thankful for the friends and community it provides.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Callie\u2019s Crew reminds us that impact doesn\u2019t always start with grand gestures. Sometimes, it starts with a yard sign, a shared story, or a small act of kindness, and grows into something truly meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us in celebrating teams like Callie\u2019s Crew by getting involved: whether that\u2019s forming a team, donating, or simply sharing our mission. Together, we can continue building a more accepting, connected, and empowered community for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GiGi’s 5K Dash for Down Syndrome<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every team that shows up for the GiGi\u2019s 5K Dash for Down Syndrome brings something special, but some teams remind us just how far a little visibility, connection, and heart can go. This year, Callie\u2019s Crew did exactly that. Named for their vibrant and determined 11-year-old daughter, Callie, this team has been a familiar and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1619,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-142174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1619"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142174\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/atlanta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}