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 or 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
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.
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
2025 Community Impact Champion Award: Cindy Mellinger
The Community Impact Champion award goes to an individual or organization who has demonstrated outstanding IMPACT to their Local Community in such a way that truly sets them apart. This individual puts forth tremendous effort in building relationships to make a huge impact across the community, as well as in the Down syndrome community. We met this individual in March 2023 and as soon as they had a tour of our previous Playhouse, they were hooked on our mission and started supporting us. This person chose GiGi’s to be one of her local TV station’s community partners, providing GiGi’s with opportunities to have our first digital billboards displayed in two towns in Lancaster county on prominent roads. We also were given our first tv commercials to advertise for upcoming fundraisers, such as GFAC, Golf, Extra Give, and more! Over the past two years, this individual has made sure we got many hours of airtime, as well as thousands of dollars worth of advertising for our organization. This individual has also invited us to participate in community events that helped us outreach with our community, as well as gave our participants an opportunity to participate in the local community and give a voice to Down syndrome. We were given the honor of carrying the flag on the Fightin Phils field on Father’s Day two years in a row. We were invited to a movie night at a local theatre, baseball games, and more! Due to her connections in the community, she then began telling others about our mission and connected us with a local Ephrata Women’s group, who chose us as the beneficiary of their fashion show, inviting two of our adult participants with Down syndrome to model in the local fashion show. She also got us our first paid performance at their Christmas show. This person worked for Blue Ridge Communication for the past 40 years and has just recently retired. Through her time there, she made an impact on various local nonprofits just like us, who would have a similar story. Blue Ridge shares this about her: her commitment and contributions have shaped our community in countless ways, leaving a lasting legacy that we will cherish for years to come! Congratulations Cindy!
2025 #GenerationG Award: Gary Gregory
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 few years. This individual may not be well known by everyone at the Playhouse because they are humble and serve others quietly, making sure that our events go smoothly, especially those events with a kitchen or a food aspect. This volunteer can usually be found in the kitchen at some of our favorite events, such as Pancakes and Pajamas and Bingo. He makes sure we are prepared and serving food safely. He goes above and beyond as a volunteer. He is always willing to dive headfirst into the kitchen tasks. He also has gotten his whole family involved in volunteering with him at GiGi’s events. He will take on any volunteer role and helps us get out into the community. He is better known as our Chili cook off chef for an event that we have attended the past few years as part of the Lititz Fire and Ice festival through the Lititz Lion’s Club. He has made and served up delicious chili recipes for the past 3 years! We even won third place for our chili 2 years ago! He is passionate about cooking and shares that passion with the GiGi’s community. At our Grand Re-opening, this volunteer helped out so much and was the first to arrive and begin setting things up. When he is not volunteering with GiGi’s, he can be found volunteering with some of our participants as the UDS Football Coach, truly being a reflection of someone, who is accepting, generous, and kind. Congratulations Gary!
2025 Volunteer of the Year: Mel Beiler
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 2025 Volunteer of the Year for GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster goes to a person who is well loved at the Playhouse by participants, families, and volunteers. She always goes above and beyond. She volunteers and leads numerous GiGiFIT programs, is a virtual 1:1 tutor for one of our participants, and volunteers at most of our events, giving it her all when she is interacting with participants and families. She is always willing to jump in and help in any scenario or substitute for other instructors or volunteers. When she is on the volunteer list, we know we will have a successful program. In August 2023, after attending a birthday party at GiGi’s Playhouse for a participant that also happens to go to school with her son and daughter, her son asked to start volunteering there with his peers. She started volunteering with her son at GiGiFIT Kid and soon began co-leading and instructing GiGiFIT Infant and GiGiFIT Preschool as well. She has such a gentle approach to assisting our littlest participants, by coming alongside of them and giving them just enough support so that they can do activities and movements more independently. She has made such genuine connections with the parents here at GiGi’s, making them feel welcome, accepted and supported in their caregiver role. She is quick to lend a listening ear and encouragement when they need it. After this year’s Pancakes and Pajamas, she approached us and said, “I know its not on the docket to start yet, but I have the time and would really love to start GiGiFIT you and I” which was the only GiGiFIT program we were not yet running, which is unique because it addresses the physical fitness of the parent, while building a bond with their newborn. She has shared how GiGis has helped her find her passion working in the disability community and she doesn't feel like she is volunteering when she comes to GiGi’s because she enjoys It so much! Congratulations Mel!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!