Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2025!
Each year, World Down Syndrome Day occurs on March 21st, 3/21. This is done as the THIRD month on the TWENTY-FIRST day signifies the extra copy of the 21st chromosome that represents the genetic makeup of the Down syndrome diagnosis. This date was specifically chosen to highlight the genetic uniqueness of individuals with Down syndrome and to serve as a global platform for advocacy, awareness, and celebration. At GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati, we celebrate the incredible worth of our friends with an extra chromosome every single day. But on this special day, we get to celebrate even LOUDER—together with our global community!
Wondering how to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day? We’ve put together a list of ways you can advocate and celebrate—on your own, in schools, throughout the community, and right here at GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati.
Celebrate!
Join us to celebrate the best day of the year!!
We invite all participants, friends, families, and volunteers to GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati on Friday, March 21st between for Open Play from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Wear your best blue and yellow and join us throughout the day to celebrate! We’ll have music and refreshments (including special blue and yellow bagels from Everything Bagels Cincinnati!) Fantastic Friends will be selling mismatched socks that they tie-dyed and packaged—all proceeds will go right back to Fantastic Friends, our 18+ program! Drop in anytime throughout the day to get registered and create teams for this year’s GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge which will be held on June 21st. If you register here at the Playhouse, you’ll receive a GiGi’s Playhouse tote bag and pair of crazy socks! We can’t wait to party with you!
Please click the link below to RSVP to this party so we can properly plan!
Wear Mismatched Socks
Wearing mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day is a fun and visible way to raise awareness. The idea comes from the fact that chromosomes look like little socks under a microscope, and individuals with Down syndrome have an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.
By wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks, people start conversations about inclusion, diversity, and acceptance. It’s a simple yet powerful way to show support! By wearing mismatched socks you are advocating in a fun way and showing the world that you embrace differences.
We invite you to grab your own mix-matched socks or purchase a pair of socks here at the Playhouse! Our Fantastic Friends participants worked hard tie-dying and packaging mix-matched socks that are as perfectly unique as you! You can only purchase these one-of-a-kind socks HERE at the Playhouse for $10 each. All proceeds will go right back to our Fantastic Friends group for participants 18+.
Hold a Fundraiser
Rally your community together to raise money for GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati! We are 100% funded through grants, donations, and sponsorships, and every dollar given to our Cincinnati Playhouse stays at our Cincinnati Playhouse. We have had local businesses, Girl Scout Troops, and schools create a fundraiser in honor of World Down Syndrome Day!
Cappy’s Taproom & Bottle Shop in Loveland will be donating $1 for every pour to GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati, so be sure to stop in for a drink to celebrate!
Here are some other fundraiser ideas:
- Hold a bake sale!
- Have a coloring contest to create awareness for Down syndrome.
- Collect “Dimes for Down Syndrome” and donate those dimes to the Playhouse!
- If you’re a business, create a special drink or appetizer where a portion of the proceeds are donated to GiGi’s.
- Create your own Celebration Club through our website!
School Tools
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, sibling, or student; we have a curriculum centered around our #GenerationG mission and Down syndrome diagnosis. We invite you to take this curriculum to your local school or classroom to build awareness and create an accepting environment for all. In this toolkit, you’ll find curriculums for all ages, posters, activity books, and printouts for a bulletin board!
This is a great way to learn how our friends are breaking down barriers and proving their diagnosis does not stop them from reaching their goals!
Invite a Speaker from GiGi’s Playhouse
Contact Kaitlyn Brennan at the Playhouse to schedule a day and time for her and one of our ambassadors to come and speak to your child’s school or your workplace about the Down syndrome diagnosis OR schedule a time to come take a tour of our Playhouse! Kaitlyn will cater her discussion at the level that’s just right for your child and their classmates to learn about Generation G and have your school take the Generation G Pledge!
Email Kaitlyn today at kbrennan@gigisplayhouse.org
Sponsor an Event
Our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge is coming up on June 21st! Now is the time to speak with your company about sponsoring this event to help us make it a HUGE success in our community. There is a sponsorship level for every company. In the past, some sponsors have donated their products or services, while other sponsors stick to financially contributing to our success!
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email cincinnati@gigisplayhouse.org
If you need help brainstorming or personalizing resources for your school or company, please contact the Playhouse! We would LOVE to help! You can email us at cincinnati@gigisplayhouse.org, or give us a call at (513)888-1653.
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