Events
World Down Syndrome Day: Celebrating Progress and Unleashing Unlimited Potential
Every day, people around the world demonstrate that nothing is impossible. Athletes, musicians, professionals, parents, children, and others constantly break barriers, defy expectations, and achieve remarkable feats. Individuals with Down syndrome are no different; March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) — a day that holds significant meaning for individuals with Down syndrome, their…
Read MoreNo Matter What, No Matter When: GiGi’s Playhouse 2025 ‘i have a voice’ Gala
No matter what, no matter when. On Saturday, February 22, GiGi’s Playhouse held its 2025 National ‘i have a voice’ Gala in Schaumburg, IL. A black-tie affair and celebratory party, the National ‘i have a voice’ Gala is the organization’s largest fundraiser, but the night was much more than a simple fundraiser. The ‘i have…
Read MoreIt Takes a Village (Green): National Playhouse GFAC Wrap up!
Children were everywhere. It was 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 at NOW Arena/Village Green, and the competition was on! It was time for the Kids Dash for Down syndrome as part of our National/Hoffman Estates Playhouse’s GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge (GFAC). GFAC raises awareness to support challenges in the Down syndrome community, but it also…
Read MoreThe Annual NDSC Conference: It’s A Family Affair
New Orleans is a city traditionally known for celebrations and, in the years following Hurricane Katrina, gained a reputation of strength and determination through tremendous challenges. After a two-year in-person hiatus, it was only fitting that New Orleans served as the in-person home of the 2022 National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Conference. Known for a…
Read MoreGiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge Brings in $1.6 million and Massive Awareness
The good news is that it is still not too late to join us! With just several in-person GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge events to still occur this year, we are happy to announce it will be our most successful Acceptance Challenge yet! Across the network we raised $1.6 million… and counting! That’s equivalent to 32,000 hours…
Read MoreThank you to Accurate
We have all heard the phrase, “a match made in heaven,” but when it comes to describing the partnership between GiGi’s Playhouse and Accurate Personnel, the phrase could not be more, well, accurate. Chief Executive Officer Jaimie Rios’ daughter, Olivia, was born in 2011 with Down syndrome. Jaimie picked up the phone and called Nancy…
Read MoreThe 2022 GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge was a HUGE success!
The national campaign wrapped up Sunday, with a 5K Fun Run, One Mile Inspirational Walk, and a kids Dash for Down Syndrome, in Hoffman Estates. More than 40 in-person GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge events were held across the country, raising a grand total of more than $1.5 million. Equally important is the number of people who…
Read MoreMeet Golf’s Newest Celebrity at our August Golf Outing
This summer’s golf outing benefitting GiGi’s Playhouse will NOT be your average golf outing. Why? Because the star of the show that day is none other than Amy Bockerstette, the young woman with Down syndrome whose golf skills have made her a viral video sensation. Amy is the 20-year-old GiGi’s Playhouse program participant who stunned spectators with her par on the iconic…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse Attends National Down Syndrome Congress in Pittsburgh
We are incredibly thankful and proud to have been a part of NDSC 2019 in Pittsburg. GiGi’s Playhouse is a strong voice in the greater Down syndrome community — our count shows that 43 of GiGi’s 55 locations attended! Nancy Gianni, our Chief Belief Officer presented at the Conference on how GiGi’s partners with other Down…
Read MoreThe Team Approach | Why We Run.
Why We Run Hello, everyone! On behalf of the Chicago Playhouse Board, we are delighted to be participating and fundraising as a team for this year’s 5K. My grandmother always used to say, “Many hands make light work.” I can think of no better and more meaningful phrase to describe the efforts of the Chicagoland…
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