Why I Choose to Volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse

This blog was written by Shannon, one of our many cherished volunteers who has been with GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough from the beginning.

(clockwise left to right) Memorial Day Parade, Busy Bodies and Teen Tastic.

I have been super involved in the special needs community for a while.  During high school anything that involved the special ed classes, I was there.  Most kids were skipping classes to walk to the bagel place down the street, I was skipping class to go hang out with my friends in special ed.  I loved every second of it!

I am an active Special Olympics volunteer and I will be participating in my second year as an extended school year volunteer.  Needless to say when I first heard about GiGi’s Playhouse I was more than intrigued. As I was sitting at a baseball game watching my friend Cara, I listened to a bunch of moms behind me talk about this new place that was coming to our area.  I heard Cara’s mom telling all of the other mom’s what a great opportunity GiGi’s Playhouse would be for all of their children.

(clockwise left to right)Teen Tastic, Mother’s Day Lunch and Hop, Skip & Jump

When I got home I jumped on the computer and immediately searched GiGi’s.  I must have spent hours that day looking at their site and how awesome it was.  By the time my mom got home I was telling her everything about it! I was so excited and I knew that I had to be a part of this magical place.

I’ve been volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough since the first event they have had and there is no question about my love for the Playhouse.  The big joke is that I am moving into the playhouse for the summer and sleeping on the couch!  Which I would totally do because that is just how much I love it here!

(clockwise left to right) Open Play, Teen Tastic, Art Explosion

I help with a lot of different organizations and places, but there is just something special that I love about the playhouse.  The bright colors and happiness, accompanied by the wonderful people that greet you when you walk in, are only part of my love.  I love that it is such a family and community atmosphere.  I love that siblings young and old can come and hang out and that moms and dads can sit and have a cup of coffee and relax.  I love how my friends who are quiet and shy in school want to come to GiGi’s.  It gives them a place where they belong and can be themselves.  I love watching them transform into rock stars on stage, there’s nothing like it!  I love the spirit of so many individuals and how much they love GiGi’s!

I get texts from my friends saying “Shannon I am going to GiGi’s playhouse tonight, are you going to be there?” and my response is always “yea!!!”