World Down Syndrome Day Full Recap

World Down Syndrome Day Full Recap:  A Record Breaking Day

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is March 21. It is a day of global awareness which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The 21st day of the 3rd month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. At GiGi’s we celebrate the day to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.

Outreach with Schools

We started the day visiting Ogden Elementary, a Chicago Public School. The kids learned about Down syndrome and how we are all more alike than different. They took the Generation G promise to be kind, accepting and generous. Later in the day, elementary students from North Park Elementary School stopped by to visit GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago. They also took the Generation G promise, learned more about GiGi’s and decorated socks to hang at the playhouse (chromosomes have the same shape as a sock so we ‘rock our socks’ and wear fun or mismatched socks to raise awareness). Between the two schools, we had a record breaking number of individuals take the Generation G pledge!

Our Community of Families and Volunteers

Families, friends and supporters started arriving at 4pm for the party. The playhouse was decorated with balloons, streamers, banners and more, thanks to a wonderful group of students from the University of Tennessee. They selected GiGi’s as an “alternative Spring Break” site to volunteer. They not only helped with decorations, but also helped set-up, prepare the food, and even made an awesome banner for World Down Syndrome Day and had our families add their handprints.

As families arrived, many brought friends and their relatives to celebrate and send a global message of acceptance. Additionally, the St. Viator Girl Scouts were also here to help lead activities and lend their support. Later, participants from the GiGi’s Dance program took the stage to perform a choreographed dance routine they have been working on. They were full of confidence as they moved to the music and the audience could see how much they loved to dance and be front and center!

Hugo’s Elvis LIVE Performance!

Following the awesome dance, and performing in front of a record breaking number of people attending our celebration, Hugo’s Elvis took the stage! Hugo, a high school senior at nearby Lane Tech, rocked the playhouse with a dynamic tribute to the early years of the king of rock ‘n’ roll! Our families loved him and it’s easy to see why with his amazing voice and the kindness he shows to everyone.

Share the Love:  Subaru’s Love Promise

We celebrated the day with so many but having the team from Berman Subaru of Chicago at our event was the icing on the cake! GiGi’s was so honored to be their Subaru Love Promise partner in 2018/19. They made it a record breaking day by presenting us with our largest single donation ever. Their gift will allow us to continue to provide free educational and therapeutic programs to individuals with Down syndrome of all ages and SO MUCH MORE. We will be releasing details of what’s to come on our website in the next few weeks.

Even more, their support doesn’t stop there. We are working together with Berman Subaru of Chicago to explore possible internship opportunities for our participants with Down syndrome. Berman Subaru of Chicago is showing the world what acceptance really looks like and that individuals with Down syndrome deserve the same respect and opportunities as anyone else.

Thank you to Berman Subaru of Chicago for leading the charge! We are so excited and proud to have celebrated WDSD 2019 with you. It truly was a record breaking day in every way. Together, we are raising public awareness and creating a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome.