What GiGi’s Fox Valley is Thankful For

Giving thanks at GiGi’s Fox Valley!

Every thanksgiving people take time to recognize what in their lives provides them love, encouragement, support, laughter, and friendship. Here at GiGi’s FV we have so much to be thankful for! Whether it’s our volunteers who put on our purposeful programs, our families who encourage and support one another, or our fabulous kiddos who teach us about respect and acceptance, there is so much to recognize this holiday season. We’ve gathered just a few things that we want to give thanks for this year:

1. Our site coordinator Lauren would like to share how thankful she is to all the families, volunteers, board members, INC staff members, and other playhouse colleges she has met during her first four months with GiGi’s. “I started my GiGi’s journey just this past August. I packed up my bags and moved from Iowa City to Naperville to start my position as the site coordinator at Fox Valley. I absolutely love and appreciate all the help and support I have gotten throughout this journey! I couldn’t do what I do without you all!”
2. At Fox Valley we are so thankful for all our wonderful donors who have given so much this past year! With your help we were able to provide FREE programs to our families. We are so appreciative of your generosity
3. We want to give many thanks to our tutors who graciously give us an hour a week (some more!!) and work with one of our student’s one on one to teach reading and literacy skills. Our kids love you more than you know!
4. Program participant Zoe’s mom Katie is thankful for GiGi’s Playhouse, “We feel so blessed to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse. The fantastic free purposeful programs, support from families, the kindness of volunteers, all make GiGi’s feel like a second home. We always feel welcome!”
5. We are so thankful for our wonderful community helpers from Nequa Valley High School. Every Friday morning students from the special education program come to our playhouse to help us clean and work on administrative tasks. They have become great friends to us over the weeks. Our intern Melissa had been feeling under the weather for a few days this past month. Our friends from Nequa made her “get well soon” cards for her arrival back to work! We are thankful to have great friends in the community.
6. Fox Valley intern Melissa says she is thankful for “the friendships she has made through GiGi’s Playhouse. I have gotten to become friends with the other intern and our site coordinator Lauren. They have really supported me through this journey. I have also made friends with the families of the students I tutor and I am so happy to have such great connections with each of them.”
7. We would like to give thanks to our terrific board of directors who help us put on so many great events and projects! Just this past October our board helped us raise over $14,000 by helping to organize participation in the Naperville Half marathon/5k! We appreciate all the hard work and hours you put into GiGi’s!
8. Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers.  They put in 106 hours of volunteer time in just the past three weeks! We absolutely could not do what we do without every single one of you! Since GiGi’s Fox Valley only has one staff member on site, the work of our volunteers proves incredibly vital to our success
9. We are thankful for the groups in the community who have opened so many doors for our kids! Whether that’s dance with Miss Emily, tennis or bowling with Naperville Central, art with Apuvra, occupational therapy with Elmhurst College and more, we are appreciative for your acceptance and help in spreading our mission!
10. Thanks to our interns who come in daily to not only further their education, but help further the mission of GiGi’s. Lauren says that “I am so thankful for the intern’s hard work this past semester. I could not have done my job without the help of these ladies. Thank you for learning this job with me. Thank you for every slow day, hectic day, lunch date, laugh, idea, and more!”
11. Last but not least we are thankful for our kids!!!!! We love seeing your smiling faces at our playhouse each week. We are here for you! Our kids are behind everything we do. Each program, event, project, fundraiser, early morning, late night, mile ran, poster decorated, storage closet cleaned, letter mailed out, phone call made, question asked, meeting attended is for you and we love every second of it. Thank you for making our world a little brighter

So “thanks!” from GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley. Enjoy your holiday with your families and friends. We can’t wait to see you soon!