8 Hours of Community Service

8 Hours of Community Service
by Christy Bouziotis

8 hours of community service. That’s what my twin 13-year-old boys needed to fulfill a Boy Scout requirement. We had been searching for just the right thing to do.

Brody & Luke the program leader during Karate Kickers, making use of their skills in the martial arts.

I had made a few calls to some charity organizations, but no one was calling me back. I considered options. Sorting food at the food bank? A river cleanup? Something to help animals? All of those were great, but not really what I had in mind.

I wanted their service to be something truly meaningful, and also something that would allow them to put their unique talents and personality traits into service for others. Both of my sons are very compassionate. Brody, the older one of the twins, has autism, and he has such a gentle way about him. I knew that my sons would be great in a role where they were helping others. But where?

So there I was on a cold January day, sitting at The Day Spa at Hair Plus in Hillsborough getting a color treatment. My first time there. And as we often do at salons, I struck up a conversation with the hair dresser and told her about my plight. It’s funny, you never know who might be a messenger to you on any given day. But on that particular random January day, it was that hairdresser.

“Go check out GiGi’s Playhouse,” she said.

Brody & Luke working with a program participant during Art Explosion.

GiGi’s Playhouse? What’s that? Well, as soon as I found what GiGi’s does and attended the volunteer orientation, I knew in my heart that I had found just the right place for Luke and Brody to serve!

Remember I said the boys each needed 8 hours of service? They blew past that in a few months, and they have never once asked to stop volunteering. It has now been over a year that we have had the good fortune of serving at a place that gives way more to us than we could ever give to it.

While the boys volunteer, I often get the opportunity to chat with the parents and family members as we observe the programs. The stories I have heard have truly amazed me. In this blog series, we will spotlight these amazing stories and introduce you to our program participants through the eyes of those who love and support them most.

In the coming months I will be bringing to you our first upcoming blog series where I will introduce Alexa, Andrew, Jacinta, Jason, Jessica, Joseph and so many more!