October 2020 Best of All!

Each month we look back on the previous month and choose 3 stories to share with our board and the national office.

We also highlight many of them on the Best of All Wall here at the Playhouse and on our blog as well. Here’s a look back on October 2020.

Participant Best of All:

Auden had her best tutoring session so far for the fall session! Her tutor, Maddi, noticed that excess energy was making it difficult for Auden to focus during tutoring sessions. After some brainstorming, Maddi and the Site Director came up with some exciting ways to introduce and incorporate large motor activities! Maddi really made the session fun and interesting for Auden, keeping her attention while applying some hands-on learning! They created an obstacle course, focusing on specific letter recognition, and then used the iPad to listen to a book about pumpkins. Auden had a blast and is looking forward to seeing her picture displayed on our “Best of All Wall!”

Volunteer Spotlight:

Sam is a freshman at the University of Iowa studying neuroscience on the pre-med track. He is also editor-in-chief of InkLit Magazine, UI’s freshman literary journal. Sam says, “When I’m not at GiGi’s, in class, or at my job as a K12 math instructor, I love swimming, hiking, and reading. I’m excited to be at GiGi’s this year because I love getting to know people and forming connections.” We are so excited to welcome Sam as our second fundraising intern and are looking forward to utilizing his many skills.

Playhouse Inspiration (Donor, Outreach, Event, etc.):

Brett from the Iota Chi Epsilon chapter at Augustana College was a previous volunteer here at the Quad Cities Playhouse. He was often a volunteer for the Teen Tastic and Fantastic Friends programs, prior to COVID. This month, Brett and his chapter set up a BINGO night to raise awareness during Down syndrome awareness month and they decided that all their earnings from the night would be donated to our Playhouse; a total of $348! Brett has recruited several new volunteers from Augustana too!