Why We Run: Karen & Lilly’s Story

Every year, Dash for Down Syndrome: Color Fest brings together hundreds of people for a day filled with color, laughter, and celebration. While the colorful powder, music, and activities make for an unforgettable event, the true heart of the day is something much deeper. It’s about celebrating individuals with Down syndrome, supporting meaningful programs, and honoring the families whose lives have been forever changed by the GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester community.

For many families, GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester becomes more than just a place to attend programs. It becomes a second home.

For Karen Sak and her daughter, Lilly, that has certainly been the case.

Lilly has been part of the GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester family for many years, and through that journey, Karen has become an integral part of our community as well. As a member of our Board of Directors, leader of our Youth Board, and dedicated volunteer, Karen has poured her time and heart into creating opportunities for other families to experience the same sense of belonging that GiGi’s has given her own.

When asked what GiGi’s Playhouse means to her family, Karen shared these words:

There’s something truly special about the environment at GiGi’s Playhouse of Rochester. For our family, and many others, it’s our home away from home. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the positivity, acceptance, and genuine joy that fills the space. It’s a place where everyone is celebrated for exactly who they are, friendships grow naturally, and families, like ours, feel supported every step of the way. Achievements are celebrated daily and individuals with Down syndrome, and their families, are supported through free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs. The positive energy and acceptance you feel there are unforgettable.

One of the best ways to experience this incredible community is by joining this year’s Color Run fundraiser! It’s not just a fun event, it’s a celebration of inclusion, confidence, and the amazing individuals who make GiGi’s so inspiring. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, you’ll be part of something meaningful and uplifting. Most importantly, you’ll be helping to ensure that these life-changing programs remain free for everyone who needs them.

Come be a part of something bigger, get colorful, and help support a place that brings so much light into so many lives. Join us for this year’s Color Run and help GiGi’s continue to spread acceptance one colorful step at a time!

Karen’s story is one of so many that remind us why Dash for Down Syndrome: Color Fest matters. Every registration, every donation, every team created, and every splash of color helps ensure that GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester can continue providing free, purposeful programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Whether you’ve been part of the GiGi’s family for years or you’re joining us for the very first time, we invite you to celebrate with us. Together, we can create a more accepting, inclusive world where every individual is valued, every achievement is celebrated, and every family knows they belong.

Join us for Dash for Down Syndrome: Color Fest and help us color our community with acceptance, one step at a time.