A Family’s Unconditional Love; A Brother’s Purpose
When Hanny Busono was 12 weeks along in her pregnancy, she and her husband were told that the baby girl they were expecting would very likely have Down syndrome. “Based on the markers,” the doctor said, “there is a 1 in 40 chance of Down syndrome.” Unfortunately, this news was...
Bringing GiGi U to Hillsborough
“When is GiGi U starting? Our daughter needs it.” “There isn’t anything challenging him anymore, GiGi U will be so great for my son!” “What exactly is GiGi U?” These are the three most common responses that I get about GiGi U when talking about it around the Playhouse. The Board of...
Generation G is a Way of Life
September 13 started like any other day at work, I hit the ground running and was working when our Founder & Chief Belief Officer Nancy Gianni started a Facebook live stream. During that time she spoke about the expansion, future programming and her plans for a million people to take the Generation G pledge during...
A Summer to Remember
It is the last day of August, the last day of Summer vacation before everyone returns to school and as I write this blog the Playhouse is full of love and laughter. Children are here celebrating Suzette’s 2nd birthday; they have enjoyed face painting, balloon animals, playing games, a magic...
Three’s a Crowd? Not for the Rodriguez Triplets!
The Rodriguez triplets were close from the beginning! Susan Rodriquez remembers the day her doctor told her that she was pregnant—not with one baby, not with two babies, but with triplets! It was news highly welcomed after five years of trying for a baby with no...
Thank You
Program leader Christie at Playhouse Pals. Thank you. Two simple words with so much meaning behind them. I say them so many times a day it might seem like a reflex, but I truly mean it every time. Without all my wonderfully generous volunteers who donate...
We are Blessed
By Laura Nacamuli “I want people to know this. Please don’t limit me. Just give me the chance, and I will show you what I can do.” Catching herself on the Time Square jumbo screen before the NDSS Buddy Walk. With those words (greeted by a...
Born to be Mine- Adopting Matthew
by Leanne Pennetto (Matthew’s Mom) When people find out that I adopted a child with Down syndrome, they usually have the same reaction: “That was so nice of you!” ...or something along those lines. I understand where they are coming from, and I’m sure I would say the same thing...
Smiling Because of GiGi’s Playhouse
by Maureen Madden-Desatnik, Vice-President Board of Managers With Kim at the 2016 "i have a Voice" Gala My first introduction to GiGi’s Playhouse was through a good friend and fellow board member Kim Kirwan. I would see her wear her sweatshirt around town and eventually asked her...
Meet Our Program Leaders
Our Volunteers: that is what makes GiGi’s Playhouse special from other organizations. The dedication they bring as program leaders, with their very hands on approach working with our families and participants creates such a warm and welcoming environment that we are consistently welcoming more and more families all the time...
Seeing the best side of people
Seeing the best side of people By Carole Kuzian The Mets. The Devils. Stub Hub gift cards. Special Olympics soccer and basketball. And, of course, the rock band Kiss. Riding onto the ice on a zamboni at at NJ Devils game. These are just a few...
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: A Visit to the Hillsborough Playhouse
Richard & Marilee with the custom built bird house, "Building Blocks." What a surprise: March came in like a lamb, at a balmy 55 degrees. Marilee and I were off for a two-hour drive to the “new” Hillsborough GiGi’s Playhouse in New Jersey. We were also...