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A word from the Chief Belief Officer, Nancy Gianni
As World Down Syndrome Day (March 21st!) approaches, I find myself reflecting on how far we’ve come and the global impact we’re making. This year, that impact feels even bigger, as GiGi has been invited to speak at the United Nations! She will give a PowerPoint presentation on her life and explain why people like her deserve to be born and celebrated. I will then get the honor of presenting all the various resources GiGi’s Playhouse provides to serve, support, and inspire our families worldwide.
I remember our last trip to the United Nations to meet with the Dignitaries from Qatar. GiGi’s grace and diplomacy blew me away. It is like God always shows her the way because I certainly did not prepare her for that! It was one of my proud momma moments! Now, her speaking at the United Nations and giving a voice to all individuals with Down syndrome will undoubtedly have me in tears.
This could not happen without all of YOU giving our kids a voice, giving our kids confidence, and telling the world they belong here!! Every Playhouse, every volunteer, every donor, and every advocate — YOU are raising us up!
As we get closer to World Down Syndrome Day, we are highlighting some amazing individuals with Down syndrome on our 21-day countdown to WDSD! Please check out our social media to see some incredible stories! Also, our Playhouses are planning incredible events to celebrate Down syndrome and make noise in their communities! Please take a moment to check out our March newsletter to learn more about these celebrations and the exciting things happening at GiGi’s Playhouse.
I’m beyond grateful for all of you who are by our side, helping us make this journey possible. We truly could not do this without each and every one of you!
XOXO,
Nancy and GiGi
P.S. GiGi’s new book, “GiGi’s Journey,” launches on World Down Syndrome Day! Learn more below!
Help GiGi’s Playhouse make dreams come true this World Down Syndrome Day!
We all have dreams—big or small, personal or professional. Individuals with Down syndrome are no different.
While they face certain obstacles, individuals with Down syndrome are capable of achieving SO MUCH! GiGi’s FREE educational, therapeutic, and career training programs lay the groundwork for individuals with Down syndrome to overcome these obstacles, build confidence, and achieve their dreams!
This World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), GiGi’s Playhouse is celebrating their unlimited potential.
Here’s some ways you can celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD):
- Support GiGi’s: Consider contributing a monthly or one-time donation to help sustain our 340,000 hours of FREE life-changing programming
- Get your copies of ‘GiGi’s Journey’: This collaborative new chapter book with Harry Moon Books is out in time for WDSD! This groundbreaking new book introduces GiGi, a character with Down syndrome, and a brick-and-mortar GiGi’s Playhouse into the magical world of Harry Moon. This book is perfect for kids, classrooms, and entire school districts. Order here!
- Celebrate with your local Playhouse: Reach out to your local Playhouse to find out what they have planned for WDSD, and bring your family, neighbors, and coworkers to help GiGi’s make some noise this WDSD! Find a Playhouse near you here!
GiGi’s Playhouse leads the way in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
Celebrations are powerful. While they may seem like straightforward parties, they create visibility, foster understanding, and unite communities.
This World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), our Playhouses are stepping out into the community and celebrating proudly! From Milwaukee's 10-year anniversary party at Sprecher Brewery to Cleveland’s block party with local restaurants, Indianapolis’ party at the Colts Complex, Rochester’s weeklong celebration with their local hockey team, Buffalo’s week-long video series with their local news station, and Cincinnati, Long Island, and Hoffman Estates hosting parties at their Playhouses, GiGi’s is making noise across communities!
These events offer more than a chance to have fun — they provide opportunities for people outside the Down syndrome community to learn more and gain a deeper understanding of Down syndrome. Through events like these, our Playhouses foster acceptance and inclusivity this WDSD and beyond!
Want to keep celebrating with GiGi’s Playhouse beyond WDSD?
You’re in luck! The GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge (GFAC) is back! Taking place from March 15th – June 29th at 55+ GiGi’s Playhouse locations, this 5k fun run, 1-mile walk, or other fitness formats, brings people together to raise awareness, foster inclusivity, and CELEBRATE the Down syndrome community.
Spread magic, adventure and ACCEPTANCE this WDSD: GiGi’s Journey out now
It’s here! ‘GiGi’s Journey,’ our new groundbreaking book with Harry Moon Books, is available to order in time for World Down Syndrome Day! This magical, whimsical story aimed at young readers ages 7 to 12 features magic, adventure, and a charismatic main character... who just happens to have Down syndrome.
‘GiGi’s Journey’ will introduce GiGi (modeled after the real-life GiGi Gianni), a character with Down syndrome, as a main character into the beloved world of Harry Moon! This first-of-its-kind book will also bring a brick-and-mortar GiGi’s Playhouse into the fictional town of Sleepy Hollow.
The book is an entertaining read that also has the potential to make a meaningful impact. ‘GiGi’s Journey’ presents a heartwarming story of friendship, bravery, and the beauty of embracing individual differences. It will allow children worldwide to gain meaningful exposure to Down syndrome and GiGi’s Playhouse, ultimately helping foster a more inclusive and ACCEPTING world!
So, what are you waiting for? Order your copies of GiGi’s Journey today and share the magic, whimsy, and acceptance with your friends, family, and even entire schools!
STEM and the Future: Empowering Through Innovation at GiGi’s Playhouse
When people hear the word “free,” they often think cheap, mediocre, or low-quality. But at GiGi’s Playhouse, we flip the script. Though our programs are 100% free to our families, “free” doesn’t mean that we sacrifice quality, investment, or innovation.
Our upcoming STEM program is a perfect example of this. This cutting-edge program, currently in development, will integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to help individuals with Down syndrome develop essential skills like problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork. We’re investing in innovative research and resources to ensure our participants have the skills they need to succeed in today’s world.
At GiGi’s, free doesn’t mean less or lower quality; it simply means everyone deserves access to life-changing opportunities. Stay tuned for more updates about our upcoming STEM program and learn more about the programming we offer here!
And the #GenerationG Hero Award goes to...
Oscars, Grammys, and... #GenerationG? As award season wraps up, we want to recognize our #GenerationG Hero Award winners. Given to an individual, group, or organization, the #GenerationG Hero Award allows GiGi’s Playhouse to honor those who work to change how the world views those with disabilities.
Last month, we presented the #GenerationG Hero award to our two latest winners:
- Influencers and advocates, The Valentine Brothers (Pat and Zach)
- Influencer sisters Valeriia and Anya Litvinova (known as Vallitfit and Anyundik on social media)
Through their social media presence, these sibling duos are changing the narrative around Down syndrome and showcasing its joy, strength, and power! Through their advocacy, they’re creating a more accepting and inclusive world for those with disabilities — exactly what #GenerationG is about.
We’re thrilled to have Pat, Zach, Valeriia, and Anya as our 2025 #GenerationG Hero Award winners. Learn more about #GenerationG here!
Honoring our heroes: GiGi’s Playhouse CELEBRATES volunteers
Appreciation is a word thrown around generously in today’s world, but appreciation is more than a buzzword at GiGi's. We’re genuinely grateful for our volunteers. Without them, we would not be able to change the lives of over 31,000 families.
GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster recently exemplified how much we value our volunteers with their “Volunteer Appreciation Winter Wonderland.” This event allowed more than 25 volunteers from our Lancaster location to gather for a night of fun, share “Best of All” stories from their time volunteering, and play GiGi’s-themed games.
At the end of the night, the volunteers left with new GiGi’s t-shirts, prizes, and a heartfelt thank you for their dedication. This event showed that at GiGi’s Playhouse, we don’t just appreciate our volunteers—we celebrate them!
Want to be celebrated? You can make an incredible impact by volunteering at GiGi’s for as little as one hour a week, online or in person. Learn more here!
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GiGi Gianni to speak at United Nations ahead of World Down Syndrome Day
