Acceptance Challenge Recap!

GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge (GFAC) is a physical and social movement for Acceptance. Thousands from around the world participate in GFAC by walking, running, and dashing. We are uniting across race, gender, abilities, beliefs, and more because every person deserves to be accepted as they are. Our incredible friends living with Down syndrome are leading the way as the masters of acceptance!

We held our second annual GFAC on May 14th at the beautiful Maidu Regional Park and it was a huge success! There were over 300 people registered to participate. This tutus and capes themed event included a choice of either participating in a 5k Fun Run or a 1 Mile Inspirational Walk with a 21-Yard Dash for Down Syndrome where the finishers received a GFAC Medal. This event would not have been possible without all the amazing volunteers and generous sponsors and donors. The volunteers included the local National Charity League (NCL) and Boys Team Charity (BTC), both long time supporters of GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento. We also had the enthusiastic Triple Threat Athletics help energize the event and interact with all those participating in the activities as well as cheer on all the hard-working runners and walkers. A sign-making station was available and used to make inspirational and creative signs to cheer everyone on throughout the event.

Our partnership with Phoong Law this year as their non-profit to benefit from Blocks for Bucks program with the NBA Sacramento Kings kick started the event. Anh Phoong and Henry Turner, former Sacramento Kings player, not only presented their generous donation at the event, but also hyped the crowd with some fun stretching and exercises to warm up participants before they took off.

The contributing vendors included Starbucks at Five Star, DJ services by Greg Andrews, Face Painting by Aelisha, Mr. Higginson’s Balloon Creations, Kitchen 747, and Taquizas El Shaddai.

Our generous sponsors included our longtime supporter Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, The Judd Team, Livingston Concrete Services, Central Valley Engineering, GR trucking, Raley’s and Bad Bakers Donuts fueling the volunteers with food and water, and Grocery Outlet of Roseville and the Sacramento Republic helping with all the goodie bags.

We are so appreciative of all those who helped make this event a fun and successful experience. Many of the participants expressed their enjoyment and are already looking forward to next year’s GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge 5K Fun Run event! -Ashley Lasiter, Board Member