Superheroes Fighting for Acceptance
Our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge – Superhero 5K Run, 1 Mile Walk, and Kids Dash is June 1, 2024, so we thought we would share some fun facts about the challenge. Read to the bottom to see the event timeline and volunteer opportunities too!
This event is:
- a peer-to-peer event, meaning we count on you to spread the word, share the event, and invite your friends, family, and coworkers to join you. Social media is a great way to spread the word! There is a Facebook event set up linked here. Invite your friends!
- one of our largest fundraisers of the year. Our Gala scheduled for 10/19/24 is the other major fundraiser. These fundraisers are crucial to GiGi’s because as an organization that is 100% privately funded; fundraisers, grants, and private donations are what make the FREE programs possible. See more about the programs offered here.
- important to our yearly fundraising. Our goal for this event is to raise $96,000 to continue to provide FREE programming to all our participants. In 2022, we raised over $100,000!!! (As of 6/5/24, we’ve raised $103,000!)
- part of a nationwide challenge to raise acceptance. Many of the 59 Playhouses across the network are hosting local events. You can see the Playhouse Leaderboard here. (FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, QUAD CITIES HAS BEEN IN THE TOP 10, and in 2022 we were #1).
- all about team spirit. You don’t have to RUN a 5k to join a team. While many people will show up on June 1st to run or walk, it is not required for all team members to be there. Maybe you WANT to RUN the 5K but don’t want to join a team! That’s OK too!! You can also register as a virtual participant to get the event t-shirt!
- full of friendly competitions. If you cannot participate on the day of the event, you can always donate to a specific team…or even join a team as a virtual participant. The fundraising teams and GiGi’s will still greatly appreciate your support. PLUS you may just help your favorite team win one of the team challenges! (Top Fundraising, Most Teammates, Most donations, or others!)
- superhero-themed and part of registering means receiving a fun superhero shirt. Costumes are encouraged! Register before May 10th to secure your 2024 event shirt!
- held at Veterans Memorial Park in Bettendorf, IA. Onsite registration/check-in begins at 7 am. 5K Run begins promptly at 8 am. Kids Dash is at 9:30 am and 1 Mile Walk is at 10 am. (This is a rain or shine event. No refunds.)
Click the following link to learn more about the event or visit your favorite team link below to show them some love and support. https://gigisplayhouse.org/quadcities/superhero-run-walk
44 Superhero Fundraising Teams as of 5/31/24
Don’t see your favorite team to support? Contact the team captain and encourage them to get their team set up!
Thank you to all the team captains for believing in the need for acceptance here in the Quad Cities and the GiGi’s mission of changing the way the world views Down syndrome. Without you, this event and our Playhouse programs would not be possible! Teams that raise $321 by May 1st will earn a personalized yard sign featured on the run/walk route. Congrats to the 37 teams who will have a yard sign!
Special incentives for fundraising teams include opportunities to:
- earn a personalized yard sign (by raising $321 before 11:59 pm May 1st)
- receive free tickets to the 2024 gala (top fundraising team)
- see your loved one with Down syndrome featured on a window here at GiGi’s and/or in the annual calendar (based on team fundraising totals)
- be the 1st team to raise $1321 and earn a chromosome necklace (Congrats, Caitlin’s Crew)
- win a chromosome necklace (announced on March 21st – Congrats, Abby’s Awesome Team)
- VIP parking at the event (announced on March 21st – Congrats, Caitlin’s Crew)
- benefit from VIP parking/packages at the run/walk (random challenges – 1st winner Riley’s Racers)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Not a runner or walker but want to be involved and help?
This event requires a lot of hands to run smoothly. There are volunteer opportunities the week prior and the day of the event too! We promise you will have FUN!
Day of Event Volunteer Sign-Up
Pre & Post Event Volunteer Sign-Up
Raffle
A big part of this event is the awesome raffle. Thanks to generous donations, there are typically 75-100 raffle items/baskets. Can you help by donating an item or two? Raffle items can be dropped off at the Playhouse during business/staffed hours. Need some suggestions? Contact the Playhouse!
Love participating in the raffle by purchasing raffle tickets? YAY and thank you! Please note: we will do a few things differently this year. The drawings will take place while everyone enjoys the 1-mile inspirational walk. Winners will be announced as walkers return to the park. We hope this will speed up the process!
Event Timeline & Location
Veteran’s Memorial Park
1645 23rd St Bettendorf, IA
7:00 am – Onsite Registration & Packet Pick Up
8:00 am – 5K Run
9:30 am – Kids Dash
10:00 am – 1 Mile Walk & Raffle Drawing
10:30 am – Raffle Winners Announced
PARKING – Parking is limited at the park. If the lot is full, there is a small lot across the road and there will also be 2 shuttle buses to transport attendees between the Cumberland Square Mall parking lot and the park.
Packet/Shirt Pick-Up
- Thursday, May 30th from 9 am – 7 pm at GiGi’s
- Friday, May 31st from 9 am – 3 pm at GiGi’s
- Saturday, June 1st from 7 am – 10 am at the park/event
UPDATES
**This blog will be updated periodically to update the team list and fundraising amounts.
Check back often!
Questions?
Please contact the Playhouse at 309-762-7529 or email quadcities@gigisplayhouse.org.
Business Hours
Tue-Thurs 9 am – 5 pm
Friday 9 am – 3 pm
2nd Saturday 9 am – 12 pm
3906 38th Ave Moline, IL
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