GiGiFEST Turns Sweet 16!

The 2019 version of GiGi Fest was a smashing success! The weather was perfect and the energy was contagious! So many families from the Chicagoland area came out to celebrate the 16^th birthday of GiGi’s Playhouse and it was as sweet as ever! There was delicious food from Garibaldi’s, lots of activities and crafts, the annual calendar walk and a declaration from Mayor Bill McLeod regarding Down syndrome Awareness Month. Up and coming country music star John Paul Van Arx performed and highlighted his song “He’s Different” about his brother song with Down syndrome. While the crowd sang and danced, clips for a music video for the song were being recorded. The video is scheduled to be released on March 21 in honor of World Down syndrome Day.

Annual awards were given out at the fest acknowledging above and beyond service from some of those most loyal to GiGi’s Playhouse. Owner and founder Nancy Gianni read the following notable information about each of the award winners at the festival as each recipient came forward to accept their award.

GiGi’s Community Partner of the Year Award was given to Omron, a local company in Hoffman Estates. Representing Omron was Kevin Bulatek and Kim Johansson. Omron is a great example of corporate America giving back to its community as they have been volunteering and donating to GiGi’s Playhouse in so many ways. The most notable contribution has been their financial support of the GiGi’s Playhouse in Mexico. We are so grateful for this company’s support of GiGi’s Playhouse.

Next up was GiGi’s Playhouse Family of the Year, The Stachiw family. Nicole is an adult intern in Hugs + Mugs and has been participating in programs at GiGi’s Playhouse since 2008. She has participated in over 1,000 hours including her time as an intern, 1:1 speech, literacy and math tutoring, Games with Friends, DJ Club, Fantastic Friends, GiGiU and many, many events. Nicole’s mom and dad, Steve and Diana have been loyal volunteers in the playhouse for many years, volunteering over 1,900 hours. Their family has participated in 8 5K events and have finished as a top-10 teams in each of the last two years. They contribute personal donations and fundraise so much on GiGi’s Playhouse behalf. You can always find this family at all our events including gala, fundraisers and playhouse events. We are so grateful for their loyalty to GiGi’s Playhouse.

Finally, Donna VanMetre was honored as this year’s Volunteer of the Year. Donna has been volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse for four years and as logged nearly 400 hours – 100 hours per year! Donna takes photos at nearly every event GiGi’s Playhouse hosted and she is a family favorite as she supports families inside and outside of GiGi’s Playhouse. She is known to show up at our participant’s sporting events or plays or birthday parties because she connects with them so well. She is always at LMNOP and open play loving our kids! Her whole family including her husband Craig are always around participating in GiGi’s Playhouse events and programs. We are so glad that Donna is a part of the GiGi’s Playhouse family!