My Summer at GiGi’s Playhouse

A note from the Site Coordinator: Shannon started her summer telling us why she chose to volunteer her time at GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough. Now that the summer has come to an end and she returned to school this week, she wanted to express just how much this summer has meant to her, and the impact the Playhouse and participants have had on her. Thank you Shannon for all that you do, your dedication to the Playhouse, the participants and their family and friends has not gone unnoticed. Have a great year at school and we will see you soon! -Liz

As I pack up to head back to Kutztown I already worry about how much I’ll miss what has become “my GiGi’s Family”.  Over the summer, GiGi’s Playhouse has truly become a home for me.  I spent countless hours in the Playhouse, whether it is volunteering during a program, eating lunch with one of the many GiGi’s program participants that I am friends with, or just hanging out and bothering the wonderful site coordinator, Liz!  I love every second that I spend in the Playhouse and I cannot believe that it is already time for me to leave!

With Ben at Hop, Skip & Jump

With Ben at Hop, Skip & Jump

The past few days have been extremely busy packing up and tying loose ends before I head back.  I have thought a lot about my summer and all of the time I have spent with GiGi’s Playhouse and all of the friends I have made.  The wonderful thing about GiGi’s Playhouse is that the friendships that are made in the Playhouse extend beyond the Playhouse!

Makenzie, one of the people I care for, also a very enthusiastic GiGi’s Playhouse participant, and I recently attended the Somerset County 4H Fair! As we were on our way to get some milkshakes we saw our friend Brian, another GiGi’s Playhouse participant! Makenzie and I were both thrilled to see Brian! Hugs were given, favorite animals were discussed and of course Makenzie shared some of her famous animal noises! If it was not for GiGi’s Playhouse, we would never have gotten to have known Brian and had the wonderful chance of seeing him at the fair!

A few days later, I was with Amy, a new GiGi’s Playhouse participant that I care for, at a special event the Hillsborough Rotary Club has during the Rotary Fair for people with disabilities.  Amy and I were waiting in line for a ride and all of a sudden I hear commotion behind us!  And what do you know? It was Joey and Honor, two more wonderful friends that we had made at GiGi’s Playhouse! For the next few rides we all rode together, laughing and making memories; it is certainly a day I will never forget!

Out with to dinner with Friday Friends Kyle and Chris

Out with to dinner with some Friday Friends

Whether it is between volunteers, participants, or staff, the relationships that are formed through GiGi’s Playhouse are ones that can never be broken and extend far beyond the Playhouse walls.  We are all a family and I could never thank GiGi’s Playhouse enough for that.  And as I fold t-shirts, I think about a quote from someone very famous “how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”, spoken by the wonderful Winne the Pooh.  Lucky for me it is not goodbye forever, but only a so long for now.

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1 Comment

  1. Miss Marsha on August 23, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Shannon,
    That was so beautifully written. Gigi’s playhouse is so lucky to have you. You embrace every activity that you are involved in and it shows on the faces of all involved at GiGi’s. Have a wonderful semester. We wil all be thinking about you but I have a feeling you will be stopping in!

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