Get to know our volunteers!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we have highlighted several volunteers on our social media outlets throughout the month. We thought we’d put them all in one place here on our blog. Being 99% volunteer-run means we rely on volunteers in many areas of our Playhouse. Some volunteers are front and center, leading programs, while others are in administrative and maintenance roles. We encourage you to take a minute to get to know just a few of the volunteers who make our playhouse the best it can be!

Maryann

Maryann is a program leader here at the Playhouse. We asked her a few questions about her volunteer experience, and here is what she had to say.

What are some reasons you are glad you joined the GiGi’s Playhouse family? “I am so glad I decided to volunteer. Sometimes things line up and happen right at the perfect time. Being a volunteer at GiGi’s has given me a new sense of purpose. I am an empty nester, and this has made that transition so much easier. But the most important thing that has come out of my volunteering is my new outlook on life. Our participants have taught me to look at the world through their eyes, which has given me a different way (a great new way) to view life. Keep it simple. Find joy in everything and in everyone.”

Do you have any specific, memorable moments? “I was recently bowling with our group, and a participant, who has never spoken to me, started a conversation with me toward the end of the night. Sentences and all.”

What would you tell someone who is considering volunteering? “If you volunteer at GiGi’s, you will feel love and appreciation like never before. And you can be a part of helping a participant with things that will carry over into real life.”

Heather

We asked Heather to share a little bit about her experience here as a volunteer tutor, and this is what she had to say.

“Every session with Zoey feels like stepping into a little world of creativity, fun, and friendship! For the past two years, I’ve been lucky enough to watch some truly magical moments unfold—seeing her light up over a new literacy game or dive into an exciting craft project. We laugh our way through word card battles, whip up tasty treats in the kitchen, and lose ourselves in the colorful pages of her beloved Barbie books. Checking off our list of To-Dos is never a chore—it just means we’re one step closer to an epic round of kickball to celebrate our progress. But honestly, at the heart of it all, it’s just time spent with a wonderful friend, made even sweeter by fruit snacks! I’m so grateful I took the leap and volunteered—it’s been one of the best decisions ever.”

Zoey presented Heather with the Tutor of the Year award at our 2024 Gala.

Jonah

Jonah comes to us as an Engineer with John Deere, and he has been a jack of all trades. He has assembled furniture, painted walls, and assisted with various other tasks as well. We’re sad to see him go, but he is relocating soon, and we wish him nothing but the best!

If more people volunteered and spent time in their community, the community would be better. There’s a lot of time in a day. Spend some of it doing something good!

Vivian

Vivian is a student at Augustana College and is volunteering as a literacy tutor this spring. Vivian and Abby have hit it off and have taken many of their tutoring sessions into the kitchen. Together, they have made some yummy treats by reading and following recipe directions. We sat down and chatted with Vivian to hear more about her volunteering experience.

Check that video here.

Sue & Jade

Sue has been volunteering here at GiGi’s for 13 years! She is our friend Gavin’s grandma. Sue has tutored, assisted with programs and events, and is currently working as a mentor with our friend Jade. Jade is going through a program called Achievers (not the GiGi’s Achievers), and as part of that program, she is working and volunteering in the community. They have been coming to the Playhouse every Wednesday for a couple of hours and working on various tasks.

Liz

Liz has been a program leader since the summer of 2022, and we asked her to tell us more about her time with us. Below is what she had to say. “My name is Liz Swanson, and I started volunteering with GiGi’s in the Summer of 2022. I was looking for volunteer opportunities in the community, and GiGi’s was the perfect fit for me.”

What’s your favorite part about volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse? “I love the energy the participants bring to each program. I love the laughter, love, and smiles that come with each program. I love the wonderful friends I’ve made. I enjoy giving back to our community, although I think I gained more than I have left behind.”

What roles, tasks, or programs do you help with at GiGi’s Playhouse? “I am a program leader for our Teen Tastic & Fantastic Friends alongside the wonderful Maryann Tyler. I help plan and execute these programs on the 2nd and 4th Friday night of the month. I love coming up with fun and creative ways for our participants to socialize and have fun together…. and a good dance party.”

Do you have a favorite or memorable moment from volunteering at GiGi’s? “So many! I loved watching the participants win against Maryann while playing “Maryann against the rest of the room” – twice!! We had a blast playing games and dancing at “The Cellar.” We turned the playhouse into a giant game of Candyland and had so much fun.”

How has volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse impacted you personally? “Volunteering has impacted me in so many ways. I always leave my program feeling better than I did when I arrived. Being part of a community is important to me- I love being a part of our community and helping our participants enjoy this community too.”

Robyn

“My name is Robyn, and I am a wife of 24 years and a mom to three daughters. I teach 5th Grade for the North Scott School District. I learned about Gigi’s from my daughter Makenna. She is a nanny to Jack who attends Gigi’s Tutoring and other programs. She also volunteered at many other programs. She said how much fun she had building relationships with the kids, so I decided I wanted to do the same! Now my youngest daughter Ellie’s softball team Midwest Sluggers, also enjoys volunteering at the big events.”

What’s your favorite part about volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse? “I have loved getting to know the participants and their families. I enjoy learning about their lives and their interests.”

What roles, tasks, or programs do you help with at GiGi’s Playhouse? “I volunteer for Teen Tastic and Fantastic Friends on Friday nights. I have also helped at the holiday party and some of the family nights.”

Do you have a favorite or memorable moment from volunteering at GiGi’s? “I don’t think I can pick a favorite because I have fun every time I go. I loved the bowling night we did and the Therapy Dog night was also great!”

How has volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse impacted you personally? “Each time I leave a GiGi’s event, my bucket gets filled. I have a ton of fun and love getting to know the participants. They always bring a smile to my face!!”

Interns

Maddie (bright blue shirt) is a current St Ambrose Occupational Therapy Capstone Intern. She is with us full-time each week because she is completing her capstone project. She has been leading various programs such as Destination Discovery: First Aid & Hygiene, GiGiFIT, Kid’s Kitchen, and so much more.

Kloe (dark blue shirt) & Isabel (striped shirt) are both interning as part of their psychology class requirement at St Ambrose University! They have both been assisting with various programs. Kloe is also leading a portion of Kid’s Kitchen while Isabel is tutoring and leading Kid’s Games Group.

Erika (photo below) has been working behind the scenes as our spring marketing intern from St Ambrose University. She has designed many of the graphics you’ve seen on social media. She recently went above and beyond by assisting with translation for our all-new Spanish-speaking family.

Meribeth

We love our Meribeth Mondays! Meribeth began volunteering back in 2021 when she gained a grandson with Down syndrome, and she wanted to learn more. She has been coming in on Monday mornings ever since then. We lovingly refer to them as Meribeth Mondays. Meribeth assists with a variety of administration and cleaning tasks, along with many other things. In 2024, she decided she’d like to get more involved, and she became a board member.

Board Members

You met Meribeth above, but we’d be amiss if we didn’t mention our entire board. We appreciate their time, talents, and dedication.

• Kathy Kuhnen
• Emi Lynch
• Kim Nimrick
• Anna Carmichael
• Abbey Pocklington
• Tara Wilson
• Meribeth Johnson
• Rachel Conley
• Andrew Thompson
• Nathan Kessler
• Kate Holsen

To see a list of our board members and their bios, please visit our website.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know a few of our volunteers! We truly appreciate them and all they do for our playhouse and the families we serve.

Are you interested in volunteering? Visit our volunteer page on the website to learn more and complete the form under the “Become A Volunteer” button.