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Awards

Each year, GiGi’s Playhouse grants esteemed awards and certificates that recognize achievements within the network of Playhouses across North America. Below are the proud achievements from this Playhouse location:

2024 & 2023: Standards of Execution Champion   
This award is given to Playhouse locations that achieve Strong of Center of Excellence on at least 5 SOEs.

2024 Core Value Award: Believe
The Core Value Award for Believe is given to a Playhouse that has stepped outside its comfort zone and has a presumption of success.

2023: Community Impact Champion
This award is given to a Playhouse that has demonstrated outstanding IMPACT to their Local Community in such a way that truly sets them apart.
2021: National Volunteer of the Year:  Alisha Fitzwater

Standards of Execution Certificates

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The Standards of Execution (SOE’s) define a descriptive list of standards for each of the 8 core functions of the GiGi’s business.  Each Playhouse has an opportunity to achieve along a continuum of growth.

8 SOE Circle 2023

2024 Certificates

Center of Excellence: Board Health & Strategy
Strong: Programs, Operations & Facility, Family & Community, Volunteer Management & HR, Development & Fundraising

2023 Certificates

Strong: Programs, Marketing, Operations & Facility, Family & Community Connections, Volunteer Management & HR, Development & Fundraising

2022 Certificates

Strong: Programs, Operations & Facility

Local Awards

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2024 #GenerationG Award: Harold Beiler

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 individual whose acceptance, generosity, and kindness has been impacting GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster over the past year. This individual may not be well known by everyone at the Playhouse yet because they are humble and serve others quietly, making sure that the participants are successful and encouraged each step of the way. This individual volunteers alongside his peers at GiGiFIT Kid weekly, as well as any other program he can get his mom to bring him to! He has a gentle way of coming alongside his peers with Down syndrome and treating them with the most acceptance and kindness. He has a special ability to motivate some of our participants that are the most difficult to motivate. One participant in particular was always one to hang in the back or even in a different room during programs instead. This volunteer met the participant where they were at, often joining them to pass a ball back and forth, slowly encouraging them to join the group and participate. This participate would say ‘no’ to try the obstacle course, then would point to this volunteer, as if to say, I will do it if he will do it with me. Such a unique bond is forming with this volunteer and a variety of our kids at GiGi’s. He tries his best to notice and point out a Best of All Moment in a participant each week at GiGiFIT Kid. This year’s recipient is a fifth grade student who is also displays #GenerationG in his school, volunteering in the life skills class for the past 3 years. His mom shares that he advocates for the students’ abilities and celebrates their strengths with genuine empathy and understanding. Although he is young, we believe he is already making a difference in the lives of those around him and are truly proud of him! Great job, Harold!

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2024 Volunteer of the Year Award: Alyssa Newton

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 2024 Volunteer of the Year for GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster goes to a person who is well loved at the Playhouse by participants, families, volunteers, and the board of directors. She always goes above and beyond. She volunteers for and leads numerous programs, giving it her all when she is interacting with participants. She is always willing to step in and help or substitute for other instructors or volunteers. She makes exercising fun and engaging for our kids, teens, and adults. She incorporates interests into tutoring sessions and follows the lead of the student to maximize their learning. She has formed strong relationships particularly with many of our kid, teen, and adult participants. She is skilled at coordinating large groups of volunteers, such as those you see busy here tonight, as well as the 100+ volunteers necessary for our Pancakes & Pajamas event and our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge! She ropes in her family and friends to volunteer as well! She goes out of her way to make sure everyone at GiGi’s is included and can work towards achieving their Best of All! When we first read her volunteer application, she wrote “Finding out about GiGi’s was like a dream come true for me.” She continued to explain that she was a college student pursing special education, as well as a registered yoga teacher, barre instructor, and Les Mills group fitness instructor, so GiGiFIT would be a perfect mix of both for her. We quickly found out that her finding US was a ‘dream come true for GiGi’s’ as well and we are so grateful to her dedication, passion, kindness and leadership! Thank you Alyssa!

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2024 Benjamin Rush Award: GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster

The Benjamin Rush Award is Awarded by the Lancaster City and County Medical Society to an Organization making outstanding, voluntary contributions to the health and welfare of the citizens of our county. GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster was chosen as the 2024 recipient!

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2023 #GenerationG Award: LCBC
“Generation G Award”

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 over the past 3 years. Individual volunteers and life groups of volunteers from this organization have shown up to volunteer at numerous GiGi’s events, always willing to jump in to help or do whatever it takes to show kindness to families or help an event run smoothly. More recently, this organization chose GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster as one of their Be Rich partners, sending consistent volunteers to every program in the months of November and December 2022. Entire families and life groups showed up at the Playhouse to volunteer. They were quick to show acceptance to our participants, joining them to work out, climb the rock wall, participate in themed activities, hold babies, and even dress up as Santa and the Grinch. This month, this organization also showed up at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster and surprised us with a very generous check as a donation towards our new building, the largest amount we have ever been given from one organization! Thank you LCBC!

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 2023 Lancaster Volunteer of the Year Award: Maggie Alboum
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 2023 Volunteer of the Year for GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster goes to a person who is well loved at the Playhouse. She always goes above and beyond. She volunteers for numerous programs, arriving early to help set up, and giving it her all when she is interacting with participants. She has formed strong relationships particularly with our adult participants. They ask for her by name when she is not there. They share how much they love her and how she is amazing. This person is naturally creative and is always looking for interesting new things to teach our participants how to do. She is always talking about GiGi’s even when she’s not there. She continually seeks out connections in the community, looking for donations or opportunities for our adult participants to get involved. She found GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster after loving the show Born this Way and googling something similar in the area. She found us and she has found a second home. We are so proud and excited to give this year’s Volunteer of the Year award to Maggie Alboum! Thank you Maggie!