Ready to LOVE?

Some people think Valentine’s Day is too commercial.  Not at GiGi’s Playhouse! We are taking out the sparkly red hearts and St. Valentine arrows  – we’re making sure the disco ball and playlist are  ready as we ramp up for another celebration GiGi’s style.  We are setting the stage to share our love and gratitude with the amazing volunteers who make our programs fun and FREE!

If  you’re a Playhouse regular, you know that we offer Literacy tutoring, Adaptive Ballet, Language and Music class, Movement class – Lectures and Discussions with prize winning thinkers and accomplished therapists – all this gives us a head start in being the best parents we can be to families touched by Down syndrome.  What you may not know is that GiGi’s Playhouse is the best place to PARTY!   As we prepare for our Valentine’s Day Party on Saturday, February 16th 3-5 pm, I’m mulling over sweet memories of our last party.

I found this letter from one of our board members and wanted to share it with you. It’s about our New Year’s Eve Party, let this be a sign of things to come – and speaking of come; COME!  all are welcome – family and friends – come dance the afternoon away or cuddle up on the couch and meet get a little better connected to the families sure to become a part of your child’s tribe  – at our Valentine’s Party (February 16th 3-5 pm)

“I thought it would be a casual, low key, intimate, sit on the couch and relish where we have been-are going day. To be so wrong, and on the last day of the year, what does this say about my prospects for the coming year? I didn’t anticipate 16 year old Tim showing up, my first miscalculation, he and about 74 other people. And to realize that he came with his family from Staten Island, the one Borough that has eluded representation at the Playhouse. In case you weren’t there, I’m talking about the second party of celebration for this Holiday season at Gigi’s Playhouse. It was a remarkable happening. What made it so was that approx. 50% of those in attendance were there for the first time. Be assured Jordana, Britt, myself and the members of GiGi’s family made all feel welcome.

Tim is a natural, a real example of what’s possible for the future of Down syndrome. I felt so privileged to stand with he and Britt on the stage. Guess what? Tim wants a Teen Center! He used my coffee cup as a prop microphone to get his message across; he wants to show other kids with Down syndrome that they can achieve all kinds of things, obviously his mom and sisters (who want to volunteer) are super proud of him also.

Tim is only one of the highlights of yesterday, a day already past. Today is a new one. This year will be full of new days and each day can have a better tomorrow.

Thank you for sharing your children and your lives with me, it’s been a wonderful day in the neighborhood.

The best of Health and Happiness for the New Year!

LOVE,  Richard Reilly – Grandparent Connection, GiGi’s Board of Directors”

Don’t miss our next party:  Valentine’s Day Party,  Saturday, February 16th from 3-5 pm.  

This is a celebration of the connections we make at the Playhouse and a chance to give a special dose of gratitude to the many volunteers who make our programs fun and FREE!