#GenerationG Award & Volunteer of the Year Award

Each year at our Gala, we have the pleasure of giving out some awards. This year, we were honored to give out two awards.

2026 #GenerationG Award: Elizabethtown College

The Generation G Award goes to an individual or an organization who goes above and beyond, embracing acceptance, generosity and kindness. This year’s Generation G award is being presented to an organization whose acceptance, generosity, and kindness has been impacting GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster for about the past 4 years.

The partnership between this organization’s Occupational Therapy Department and GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster started when faculty were seeking meaningful, community-based learning opportunities for students. The goal was to create experiences where students could engage directly with children and families while applying occupational therapy concepts in real-world settings. After discovering GiGi’s Playhouse, it quickly became clear that its mission, welcoming environment, and commitment to community made it an ideal partner.

Since that time, the collaboration has provided over 160 occupational therapy students with hands-on opportunities to participate in programming, volunteer as tutors and helpers, and build authentic connections with individuals and families. These experiences have had a profound impact on student learning and professional development.

Students consistently describe their time at GiGi’s Playhouse as one of the most meaningful components of their education. They highlight the opportunity to connect classroom knowledge to real-life application, deepen their understanding of pediatric practice, and grow in confidence as future practitioners. Many students have even chosen to continue volunteering beyond course requirements, reflecting the lasting impression of the experience. For some, the partnership has turned into consistent volunteer opportunities, tutoring placements, internships, Capstone projects, program instructors, friendships and jobs. Students have volunteered at our Gala, 5K, Pancakes & Pajamas and more.

In addition to the occupational therapy department collaboration, students from this organization have come to GiGi’s from the education department as well. Our GiGi’s Dance Team has been invited to perform at and participate in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk the past three years. Our dancers have also been invited to perform on the stage at the Emotion Dance Showcase the last three years, allowing GiGi’s to speak on stage to the attendees, as well as have a table set up at their event. This has lead to Emotion donating over $2500 to GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster. This organization has also employed an adult with Down syndrome on campus for many years.

Congrats Elizabethtown College!

2026 Volunteer of the Year Award: Desiree McCale

The Volunteer of the Year Award goes to an individual who goes above and beyond, dedicating their time and talents to the participants and overall operations of the Playhouse. This year’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year for GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster goes to a volunteer who is crucial to our fundraising and events at GiGi’s. She has dedicated numerous hours to the Playhouse directly with participants, but mostly behind the scenes. Since joining us about 5 years ago, she has volunteered on the committees of all of our major fundraising events, such as Bingo, Gala, Golf, GFAC, Car Wash, Bake Sale and more! She is so dedicated to the work she does at GiGi’s. She works so hard by bringing her ideas to the table and works hard to get them completed. She follows through with what she plans and makes she it is done with high standards. She puts in the time and effort to make sure events are planned and run smoothly. She is really good at getting raffles and silent auction items together and looking nice. She works hard, going above and beyond, staying at GiGi’s late into the night until the tasks are done and done well. She literally will help in any way needed. She also helped to launch and leads our Art Explosion Adult program, as well as our Teen Tastic program. She makes great connections with each individual participant. She’s also a great advocate for GiGi’s, willing to go to various tabling events in the community to talk about GiGi’s to others. She is also a great advocate for her daughter, bringing her to every program she can participate in. She is someone we can always depend on. She always checks in with us and offers to help if I ever need anything. She will also sit with us to create graphics and flyers and anything that needs done. She is always kind and fair and we love her and her dedication to GiGi’s so much!

Congrats Desiree!