“I felt my life was missing something, but wasn’t quite sure what.”
I felt my life was missing something, but wasn't quite sure what. I read about GiGis in the newspaper and knew immediately I wanted to be part of it. First I started volunteering and then teaching an LMNOP class each month. Soon, my own teenage children began volunteering with me....
“I call my role with Teentastic “the best gig in town!”- Julie, Teen Tastic leader
“Aside from being my now 21yo son’s kindergarten co-room parent, I had never volunteered for anything. Now that Mia was a teen, I felt that volunteering at GiGi’s would be a great way for me to give back to the Triangle Down Syndrome community for all the support they had...
Meet Local Raleigh Mom & Advocate, Rachel Fox
Happy World Down Syndrome Day! March 21st is the day where people all over the world are raising awareness of Down Syndrome and joining in one single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well being of people with Down syndrome. In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, we...
Thank You. From, The University of Missouri
Thank You. From, The University of Missouri In early January, a group of 11 strangers loaded up a van and drove 14 hours to Raleigh, NC to spend a week of service at GiGi’s Playhouse. We had no idea what the week had in store for us. However, I can...
Become a 321 Champion!
Welcome back!!!! Thank you for viewing my blog. Sorry I did not post for a long time. I just wanted to ask you be a 321 champion. At GiGi's Playhouse Raleigh, we have a 321 Champion campaign. Please donate $21 each month for the year of 2018. Reason why is...
“Thank you, GiGi’s Playhouse, for being a community that inspires.”
“Thank you, GiGi’s Playhouse, for being a community that inspires.” Hello, GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh! My name is Ashley Schoenfisch, and I am a new volunteer in the Chapel Hill area. As a volunteer, I receive sincere thanks regularly from GiGi’s board and staff, program leaders, other volunteers, families, and...
We completed 21 Days of Kindness in October at GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh
21 Days of Kindness - October 2017 If you follow us on Facebook, you’ve seen how much fun everyone’s had doing kind acts for others. Our amazing participants touched the hearts of many in the community by sharing their unique gifts with them, #21DaysofKindnessRAL. Here are some of the highlights:...
GiGi’s is a second family to us. A family we chose to be a part of and that gives us great joy and happiness.
Being part of the GiGi’s volunteer family has been a wonderful experience. I knew I wanted to give back and I wanted to find a way that I could do that without having deep pockets. Don’t get me wrong, GiGi’s needs those that donate funding, but GiGi’s allows me to...
Teaching and practicing yoga along side GiGis has become the highlight of my week.
My name is Justin Anne Patterson, and I am a yoga instructor here in the Raleigh area. I have had the incredible pleasure of working with young adults at GiGi's Playhouse for a few months now. Teaching and practicing yoga along side this group has become the highlight of my...
A Trip around the Second Annual GiGi’s Fall Fest in Raleigh
A Trip around the Second Annual GiGi’s Fall Fest in Raleigh By Cornelia Smith, Ph.D. Some people awoke on Sunday Oct 29, 2017 with feelings of excitement and anticipation because of the second annual GiGi’s Fall Fest in Raleigh. As the start time for the event approached (1:00 pm), I’m...
Today I learned that GiGi’s Playhouse is an organization made of people with open hearts and open minds whose sole purpose is to help individuals feel positive and valued.
My First Visit to GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh By Cornelia Smith, Ph.D. I have noticed GiGi’s Playhouse in Raleigh since it opened last year and wondered about its purpose. The posters on the outside windows show children with Down syndrome so I gathered that this was a main focus of the...
The gifts of themselves, brought by each member of GiGi’s family to every class has created a fun-filled and wonderful experience for me.
Rose is the mother of 10 and grandmother of 30 (wow!) and had two children born with Down Syndrome - her youngest Annie turned 30 in September and is a participant at GiGi's (Annie also works in the bakery at Whole Foods Cary - be sure to tell her hello if you...