February 2020 Newsletter
Chicagoland Gala This Saturday!
Still time to get your tickets!
Join us on an EXTRA day, to celebrate an EXTRA chromosome, at an EXTRA special celebration! The A Little Something Extra Gala doubles as the party of the year and our biggest annual fundraiser, allowing us to continue providing FREE programming to individuals and families with Down syndrome while sending a global message of acceptance for all. This is a CAN’T MISS event!!
You can purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship and donation opportunities by clicking the button below.
Can you Volunteer for the Gala?
Sign up below if you are willing to help load and unload the truck with Gala silent auction baskets and supplies on Friday, Feb 28th from 2-3:30 pm at GiGi’s Playhouse Hoffman Estates or from 4-6 p.m. at the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel.
Sign up below to help set up for the Gala on Saturday, February 29th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.
We can also use help during the Gala from 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m. on Saturday, February 29th.
World Down Syndrome Day!
World Down Syndrome Day is right around the corner on Saturday, March 21, and we will be celebrating at the Hoffman Estates Playhouse! Mark your calendars for a WDSD celebration from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and come with the whole family for fun, food and entertainment! More details to come in future communications.
Limited-edition “A Little Something Extra” shirts are now available in Hugs + Mugs or on our ONLINE STORE. We have blue onesies, toddler, kids and unisex sizes and black v-neck tees for the ladies. Get yours today before they sell out!
GiGi’s Birthday Club
We are excited to officially announce the launch of GiGi’s Birthday Club where you can celebrate your special day by inviting your friends and family on social media to support GiGi’s Playhouse!
Each donation is another step toward changing the way the world sees Down syndrome. Another voice for “Global Acceptance for All.”
Click the link below to learn more about GiGi’s Birthday Club and how your birthday celebration can have a “ripple effect,” helping us to continue providing FREE & purposeful programs to our GiGi’s Playhouse families.
GiGi’s Birthday Club information
Program Spotlight: Amina Grace Speech & Language
The FREE Programs at GiGi’s Playhouse offer foundational learning opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Here’s a peek into the progress of one of our participants Samir who is working hard in the Amina Grace Speech & Language program as he gets ready for his part in an upcoming theater production.
Read More HERE!
Volunteer Spotlight
GiGi’s Playhouse Hoffman Estates has been blessed by volunteer Beth McCabe who has been an administrative volunteer for the past few weeks. She has helped us get ready for the gala and also helps with programming tasks and fundraising. She wanted to gain more experience at a non-for-profit and loves GiGi’s Playhouse because her friend’s daughter has Down syndrome. Our adult intern Kiera recently interviewed her.
Read more about Beth HERE!
Registration for GiGiFIT is Open
Registration for the Spring Session of GiGiFIT is now open! The 12-week session runs from March 29 – June 21, 2020 for adults, teens, kids (ages 5-12) toddlers (ages 3-5) and infants (pre-walking).
NEW starting this session is GiGiFIT Toddlers (walking-age 4) on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m.
Sign up today! Applications close March 15.
Volunteers Needed
Our programming at GiGi’s Playhouse is FREE to our families but they are not free for us! We need YOUR help! Please consider giving us some of your time and talents while being inspired by our individuals with Down syndrome!
We are currently IN NEED of Volunteers for the following:
Literacy & Math Tutoring Committee Members: assist with tutor/student lesson preparation and administrative tasks, 5+ hours per week, flexible schedule
Welcome Center Support: Check-in guests, answer phone and train adult Professional interns on admin tasks (when applicable), Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 9 am – 2 pm, 2 – 4 hour shift
GiGiFIT Infant Co-leader: Thursdays from 10-11 am, 12-week sessions
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete our online
volunteer interest form by clicking the button below.
Then, please attend our March Volunteer Orientation
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
6:00-7:00 p.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse Hoffman Estates
Wish List
Our tutors and students need your help! We need your support to organize our tutoring materials through the purchase of 4 book bin sets from Amazon or a donation of an Amazon gift card that we can put towards buying bins that fit on our custom library shelves. Your assistance will ensure our students are set up for success and can achieve some amazing #BestofAll moments during tutoring. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Once the bins have been acquired, we’ll share before and after photos of the library when the project is complete. Stay tuned for the big reveal!
Really Good Stuff Stackable Plastic Book and Organizer Bins for Classroom or Home Use – Sturdy, Colored Plastic Baskets (Set of 12). GiGi’s colors please! 4 sets are needed: Green Neon, Orange, Blue Neon and Purple.
For our complete wish list click HERE
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