‘i have a voice’
Stars Shine Bright
Stars Shine Bright for GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines: Local Playhouse Recognized By National Achievement Office At International Conference November 11, 2014 (DES MOINES, IA): GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers announced 5 prestigious awards at its Annual Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois on Saturday, November 8, where nearly 200 board members, volunteers and staff from 30…
Read MoreCallen’s Super Buddy
In all of his four years, Callen has never met a stranger. He greets everyone he passes with an enthusiastic “Hi!” He gets handed from adult to adult in pretty much every social situation he’s in. He high fives kids at the baseball fields and playgrounds. It is truly amazing how this tiny little kid…
Read MoreCarsten’s Super Buddy
Meet Carsten. Who knew that eight years ago one little person could make such a difference in a family and community’s life. And even though the blue eyes, requests for cookies, or Scooby Doo might grab your attention – if you take the time to get to know Carsten you’ll understand just a little of…
Read MoreThank You to our Volunteers
Des Moines volunteers make a difference every day at GiGi’s Playhouse. GiGi’s Playhouse recently honored its volunteers with a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner hosted by its Board of Directors at Mama LaCona’s Restaurant. In 2013, GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines is thankful to have received over 1,467 hours of volunteer service from Volunteers at GiGi’s…
Read MoreStars Shine Bright in Des Moines
November 25, 2013 (URBANDALE, IA): GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers announced 4 prestigious awards at its 10th Anniversary International Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois on Saturday, November 9. The “Super Star” award is given to a Playhouse that continually displays excellence in all aspects of mission readiness, programming, business operations and fundraising events. GiGi’s Playhouse…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
Carsten’s Crusaders Carsten’s Crusaders will be participating in our 8th Buddy Walk on August 24th! Year after year we have had family, friends, and teachers rally together to show their love and support of Carsten, and financially support Up with Down, GiGi’s Playhouse and NDSA. It feels great to be able to show support for…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
“#TeamKianna” Kianna is a 9 yr.old female with Down syndrome. We found out she had Down syndrome about 2 months before she turned 2. She is in the 3rd grade at Oak Park in a cluster program. She enjoys reading and loves learning new things. While in the 1st grade she read a book to a…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
Team “Kelsey Girl” On August 9, 2010 at 6:00 a.m. a 7lb baby girl was laid in my arms. The nurses commented how special those numbers were. Everyone was unaware of another number that was going to become special. When I looked in her eyes I knew she had Down syndrome (Trisomy-21). Not only did…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
Team “Follow that Sam” Sam’s team is “Follow that Sam” because he is go, go, go all the time! He keeps us on our toes as our personal exercise program. Thanks to Sam’s friendly nature we have met many new friends and will continue to meet more. Down Syndrome has not slowed him down and we want…
Read MoreGiGi’s 5k & Buddy Walk
Team “Memories of Mia” We walk to honor the memory of 4 month old Mia, daughter of Trista & Paul Vail of Runnells. Sister to Sydney, Cam & Colt. Mia was born in November 2007 and gained her angel wings in April 2008. She was an organ donor. The picture on our team page was taken 1 week…
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