Celebrating a Decade of Difference: A Look Ahead at 2025 

As we step into 2025, our team is excited to celebrate a Decade of Difference—ten years of GiGi’s Playhouse impacting the Fargo-Moorhead and surrounding communities. This milestone marks a journey filled with growth, love, and countless moments of celebration! 

Ambitious 2025 Goals

This year, we have set ambitious goals that reflect our commitment to creating lasting change: 

• Providing 7,000 free program hours for individuals with Down syndrome. 

• Expanding GiGi’s on the Go by fostering inclusive education, building medical champions, and reaching rural communities. 

• Offering Backpack Buddies this summer—our beloved family reading program—and introducing Math Buddies, a fun new initiative to build math skills through engaging activities. 

Welcome Interns

Our programs are also growing in unique and exciting ways this spring! We are thrilled to welcome two dedicated interns who are passionate about making a difference: 

• Izzi Nankivel, a Doctoral Occupational Therapy student from the University of Mary, is developing Little Fingers, Big Plans, a program designed to strengthen handwriting and fine motor skills. 

• Kianna Snell, a Dietetics Master’s student from Concordia College, will join us for her community rotation, focusing on enhancements to GiGi’s Kitchen for kids, teens, and adults. 

These innovative programs and partnerships ensure we continue to meet the diverse needs of our families. This January alone, we launched 25 spring programs, welcomed two new families, and engaged eager volunteers ready to make an impact. 

Upcoming Events

Giving Hearts Day: February 13 
This year, GiGi’s volunteer and program participant Nicole will host her second annual Lattes for Love! Nicole has stepped into a leadership role, managing the planning process, creating marketing materials, and personally inviting businesses and friends to join us for lattes, conversation, and tours between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on Giving Hearts Day. 

Disco for Down Syndrome Gala: March 29 
Put on your disco shoes and join us for a night of celebration at our annual gala! This year’s theme honors 10 years of GiGi’s Playhouse in the Fargo-Moorhead community, with Studio 54-inspired flair and stories of impact that will move you. 

But the fun does not stop there! Throughout 2025, we will reflect on A Decade of Difference, celebrating memorable moments and milestones from the past ten years. Together, we have provided more than 30,000 free program hours, and it is all thanks to the dedication of our participants, the unwavering support of their families, our passionate volunteers, and the generosity of donors and community partners like you. 

As we look ahead, we are filled with gratitude for this community and inspired to continue raising the bar. Here is another incredible year of celebrating abilities, milestones, and inclusion. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s make 2025 a year to remember! 

Heather Lorenzen

Executive Director

Save the Date for Future 2025 Events

• Golf FORE GiGi’s– July 14th, 2025
• Decade of Difference 10 Year Anniversary Celebration- September 26, 2025
• GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge 5K, Walk, Dash & Festival- September 28, 2025