Being Generous: It’s the friends we serve that help us appreciate the journey!

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words live on because of the simple truth that true greatness, along with many other benefits, can be found through serving others, and there’s no better place to see this come to life than here at GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix! Everyday we have participants and volunteers supporting, encouraging and serving one another; using their time and talents to improve the lives of others, and unintentionally, their own lives, too!

This month’s GiGi’s Phoenix theme is service and although Brett couldn’t put the definition into words, he certainly puts it into action all the time!

My mom explained to me what this is like, when volunteers give their time to help all the participants and families at GiGi’s. My friends and I are all happy for the service GiGi’s provides for us with fun programs and great volunteers! I would like you to meet some of my Playhouse friends….. They are so AWESOME!!

Hugs from Brett❤

I am happy for you to meet my friend Lincoln!

Lincoln is currently loving the GiGi’s Literacy tutoring program because he loves to read! He also has loved going to Little Sports and is excited to try out Kitchen Kids in the future. Lincoln loves pizza (so do I) 😀. A close second for Lincoln’s favorite food is cheeseburgers and fries! Lincoln loves to call himself “Hulk” as that is one of his favorite characters. He likes to act big and strong, just like Hulk❤.

Lincoln loves to play pretend with his toy kitchen and camping set. He also loves to play baseball (so fun) and watch t.v. Lincoln loves GiGi’s because there is a big variety of classes and events to try out! Lincoln and his family are grateful that GiGi’s gives the opportunity to try new things and have a lot of fun at the same time❤.

My new friend is Michael!

He is 7 years old and has a mom, dad, a little brother, and 2 dogs! He does the speech therapy program with Sarah. She is great and Michael is so excited to see her every week. Michael would like to try the cooking program because he loves to help his mom in the kitchen, I love cooking and baking in the kitchen too ❤. His favorite food is hot dogs with ketchup and pickles.

Michael’s dad calls him monkey as a nickname! Michael loves to play with cars. He also plays baseball and likes to play outside. He can’t wait for warm weather so he can go swimming again (sounds fun)! Michael and his family love all the nice people at GiGi’s ❤. He also really likes all the cool stuff to play with and the stage to perform on. Michael and his family are grateful for GiGi’s because it is a nice place to go to learn and play and be surrounded by very nice people and people who are like me😄. 

Self advocate brett serves his community through outreach
Brett spreading joy and sending Playhouse birthday cards!

Brett consistently serves the Playhouse!

Our monthly blog “The Friends Along the Way” is submitted by participant, volunteer and self-advocate Brett Schatzman! In addition to introducing us to new Playhouse friends each month, Brett serves our community in so many different ways! He leads our community outreach and spreads love through birthday, thank you and get well cards, he serves up delicious ideas and food in the Playhouse Kitchen and has led many LMNOP programs, showing new parents just how bright the future is when you love someone with Down syndrome! Thank you Brett and family for all you do to serve our Playhouse!

If you’d like to be like Brett, you can follow his footsteps by following any of these paths! We are accepting applications for volunteers, have open registration for GiGiFIT and tutoring, and new summer programs starting soon!

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