{"id":142394,"date":"2026-03-14T13:36:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T18:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/?p=142394"},"modified":"2026-03-14T13:36:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T18:36:26","slug":"volunteer-highlight-debbie-a-decade-of-dedication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/adults-with-down-syndrome\/volunteer-highlight-debbie-a-decade-of-dedication","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer Highlight: Debbie-A Decade of Dedication!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/files\/2026\/03\/WDSD.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/files\/2026\/03\/WDSD-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-142395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/files\/2026\/03\/WDSD-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/files\/2026\/03\/WDSD-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/files\/2026\/03\/WDSD-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/files\/2026\/03\/WDSD.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At GiGi\u2019s Playhouse, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Their time, energy, and compassion help create the welcoming community our families know and love. Today, we are thrilled to spotlight one of our longest-serving and most dedicated volunteers \u2014 Debbie!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Debbie has been a part of the GiGi\u2019s Playhouse family for more than 10 years. She first began volunteering by helping with cleaning and organization, pitching in wherever she was needed to keep the Playhouse running smoothly. She also spent time supporting the front office and assisting with Open Play, helping create a warm and inviting environment for families walking through our doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the years, Debbie\u2019s involvement has only continued to grow. Her willingness to step in and support a variety of programs has made a lasting impact on our community. Debbie has volunteered with Family Fun Nights, Teen Tastic, and more recently has helped with GiGi\u2019s Kitchen Adult as well as Kids &amp; Games with Friends. Her friendly presence and commitment to our participants make each of these programs even more special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Debbie is also a key volunteer when it comes to our biggest events. Most recently, she played a major role in preparing for our \u201ci have a voice\u201d Gala. Debbie led the charge in gathering and wrapping the beautiful baskets for the event and helped set them up at the venue, ensuring everything looked amazing for our guests. Her leadership and attention to detail helped make the evening a huge success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What makes Debbie so special is not just the number of hours she gives, but the heart she brings to every task. Whether she\u2019s organizing supplies, supporting a program, or preparing for a major event, Debbie shows up with positivity, dedication, and a true love for the GiGi\u2019s Playhouse mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Debbie, thank you for over a decade of service, kindness, and commitment. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of our GiGi\u2019s Playhouse family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is your Favorite memory of volunteering?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;One of my favorite memories was a Mchenry playhouse fashion show watching my little munchkins strut their stuff down the runway!&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What else would you like to share about volunteering?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8221; I love the kids and got to know the families through the weeks. I used to go watch some of the kiddos at their sports events, plays, and fashion shows outside of the playhouse. They and some of the staff became my family! <em>I have gotten so much more than I have given by volunteering.<\/em> My heart is so full seeing them reach so many milestones. I am so blessed to be part of the GiGi&#8217;s family.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019d like to follow Debbie\u2019s example and get involved, we\u2019d love to welcome you as a volunteer at GiGi\u2019s Playhouse! Check out our upcoming opportunities and fill out our volunteer application <a href=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/volunteer\">HERE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At GiGi\u2019s Playhouse, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Their time, energy, and compassion help create the welcoming community our families know and love. Today, we are thrilled to spotlight one of our longest-serving and most dedicated volunteers \u2014 Debbie! Debbie has been a part of the GiGi\u2019s Playhouse family for more&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25306,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,1525,1526,1537],"tags":[52,109,22,23],"class_list":["post-142394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adults-with-down-syndrome","category-community","category-free-programs","category-volunteering","tag-gigisbelieves","tag-inspiration-courage-tutoring-freeprograms","tag-down-syndrome","tag-gigis-playhouse"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25306"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142394"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142394\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hoffmanestates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}