Volunteer of the Month – Jim!

Meet Jim, a treasured member of our GiGi’s Playhouse family (and we aren’t saying that just because he’s our Board Treasurer). With a passion for giving back and a heart for our participants, Jim brings so much to our community—both as our Board Treasurer and as a Project Pulse Program Assist. His journey with us is filled with joy, growth, and unforgettable memories. We’re so grateful for everything he contributes to the Playhouse and the love he pours into every moment. For those reasons and many more, Jim was selected as our Volunteer of the Month!

Tell us about you!

I work as a Financial Analyst for Brookfield Properties overseeing the financial reporting of Sports & Entertainment assets. I also teach part-time in the School of Accountancy at the University of Akron. Outside of work, I enjoy getting a workout in, playing sports, practicing music, and spending time at one of Lakewood’s many coffee shops.

What got you involved at GiGi’s Playhouse?

Erin Alexeff invited me to the New Year’s event heading into 2019 and I felt welcomed into the GiGi’s Community right away. The opportunity to take on the Treasurer role came along in 2021 and I knew it would be the perfect way to get involved. That opportunity then allowed me to meet our esteemed Operations Manager, Mary Makulinski who invited me to assist with Project Pulse.

What programs have you volunteered with?

I have volunteered with the Project Pulse program since December of 2021, as well as helping out with various special events for the Playhouse.

Why did you start volunteering?

The opportunity to volunteer at GiGi’s presented itself at the right place and the right time, and I didn’t have to think twice about getting involved. My original intention was simply to use my accounting skills to help out and it has turned into so much more than that. I don’t know what I would do without my time spent at GiGi’s.

Why do you enjoy volunteering?

When I first signed up to volunteer, I thought it would just be a way for me to give back to others and while that is true, I quickly realized that the time I spend volunteering has become the most fulfilling part of my week. I am constantly filled with gratitude for the time spent with the participants at Project Pulse, where we all learn invaluable life lessons in one way or another.

Why do you love GiGi’s Playhouse?

There is a magic to GiGi’s that is difficult to put into words. It’s a space where your outside job titles don’t define you, your ability level doesn’t define you, and the day’s stressors end up being left at the front door once you walk in. You’re able to come together and be seen simply because you exist and that is a beautiful feeling to experience.

What impact has GiGi’s Playhouse had on you? What have you learned?

Prior to volunteering with GiGi’s, I did not have a personal connection to the Down syndrome community. The idea of volunteering in a community I was not previously immersed in led to some natural feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. By committing to volunteering and pushing myself outside of my own comfort zone what I learned is, simply, a lesson in humanity. No matter our age, race, ability levels, etc. we all want to be accepted, we all want to be loved, and we all want to be seen exactly as we are. GiGi’s has allowed me to connect on that level with so many amazing people and it has changed how I interact with the world on a daily basis.

Do you have a favorite memory at the Playhouse? If so, what is it?

Being involved in taking a group to WWE SummerSlam at the Browns Stadium this past summer is, without a doubt, a top experience in my life. I will forever cherish the memories of walking around Home Depot to buy supplies for a makeshift wrestling ring, filming wrestling entrances and promos in the Playhouse in the hopes of getting tickets, and the generosity of so many people in providing transportation, a suite, and food for the event. Watching my friends from the Playhouse experience the entire range of emotions as their favorite wrestlers won and lost will be a memory that I cherish for the rest of my life.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a new volunteer?

Let go of any expectations you have; your role as a volunteer isn’t to come in to be a superhero and save the day. Your role is to come in and be open, be present, and embrace this opportunity to connect with the amazing participants that utilize what GiGi’s has to offer.  

As a volunteer, what is one thing you’d say to a new family who is curious about GiGi’s Playhouse?

You are welcome here and you will be embraced and celebrated exactly as you are.

What makes GiGi’s so special to you?

If all these answers don’t convey what makes GiGi’s so special, the only thing I can add at this point is that you need to come to GiGi’s and experience the magic yourself.

The last thing I will add is a thank you for giving me this platform to discuss all the amazing things that GiGi’s has brought in to my life, and I am honored to be a part of this community.

We are incredibly grateful for Jim’s dedication, kindness, and the countless ways he enriches our Playhouse. His passion for our mission and unwavering support for our participants make a lasting impact on everyone around him. Thank you, Jim, for all that you do— whether that’s making sure our finances are in order or that the teens are moving and groovin’ at Project Pulse – you truly make a difference!