1:1 with GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough Board President Colin McMullen

Although we have had to close our physical doors, suspend in-person programming, and cancel important events due to COVID-19, GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough still has a lot going on and much to be hopeful about, including the history-making Virtual Step to Accept Across America event coming up on Saturday, June 6.

We recently spoke with our Board President, Colin McMullen, for an update.

Q: How is the Playhouse doing during this time?
Colin:  Similar to other organizations, businesses, and charities that had to close their doors, we have worked very hard to keep our programs moving forward in a new format.  The connectivity between our volunteers and participants is always stronger in a face-to-face format; however, with the use of technology we’ve been able to be virtually together.  Currently, five of our programs are running in a virtual format and we look to get back together in the Playhouse as soon as possible.

Canceling the Gala in March was hard financially, as can be expected, but we have a strong network of volunteers and supporters to help us weather this storm. Together we will succeed, and our next step in that journey is Step to Accept.

Q:  What is Step to Accept and can our families and supporters take part?
Colin:   We certainly hope everyone will take part.  GiGi’s Virtual Step to Accept Across America is a virtual run / walk / ride coming up Saturday, June 6 at noon Eastern. All participants on that date and time will take as many steps as they can (outside, on your treadmill, stationary bike) to help GiGi’s reach its collective goal of 50 million steps taken to promote global acceptance.

Q: What makes this event so important and unique?
Colin:  We say this initiative is history-making because it truly is: Never before have all 60 GiGi’s locations and startups across the U.S. and Mexico participated in a shared and simultaneous event.  On June 6 at Noon Eastern, all of us will.

Colin & his son Henry at the 2018 Dash for Down Syndrome.

It’s just $21 to sign up. Your registration fee will not only help out the Hillsborough location during a challenging time, but it will also enable you to be a part of a precedent-setting event that joins us with our sister playhouses near and far in a unified march toward our common goals.

Q: In promotions for the event, people are being asked, “Who do you step for?” So I pose the question to you: Colin….why will you step?
Colin: As President, I’m stepping for all of our families and participants, but as a dad, I’m stepping for my six-year-old son, Henry.

Join us on June 6! Sign up here today. Join the Hillsborough team High Fives for Hillsborough, form your own team, or join as an individual! For more info about Steps to Accept steptoaccept.org.

 

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