2018 Award Winners – ‘I Have A Voice’ Gala

We had such an amazing time at the Gala! It was a night of celebration and joy. We were accompanied by peers, parents and supporters of GiGi’s. Not only did we get the chance to fundraise to continue offering free programs and keep the Playhouse running, but we also got a chance to thank everyone who has been there with us in this crazy and rewarding journey. We also had the chance to recognize our amazing volunteers and participants. They are the reason we exists and the reason we continue to work so hard to make sure GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego is here to stay and grow and expand.

We also took the opportunity  to honor three very special individuals!

Mary Compton is our Volunteer of the Year award recipient. Mary is a physical therapist who has given so much of her time to GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego. She first began helping us when we were getting the playhouse ready, painting walls and helping with the build out. She then offered to lead Leaps N Bounds. We quickly saw the need for someone to help us coordinate the other Program Leads and Volunteers and Mary once again stepped up to the occasion. Her positive outlook on life, even when hectic, was definitely felt amongst everyone and it spread through the Playhouse. We love having her be a part of GiGi’s and it’s our honor to recognize & show our appreciation for making an incomparable difference in the lives of our families.

Amanda Brandeis is our ‘I Have A Voice’ award recipient. This award is designated to honor someone in the community who has become a champion for individuals with Down syndrome. We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Amanda. She is a video journalist for ABC 10 News, and not only does she report on her stories, but she shoots, writes and edits them herself! She has given us a platform to share our voice as well as the voice of other individuals with Down syndrome, helping create awareness and acceptance.

Leila Forsythe Alvarez is our ‘Generation G’ award recipient. Generation G is a conscious decision to be better every day, with the motto, “Be Accepting. Be Generous. Be Kind.”. We chose Leila because she is one of the kindest, most accepting, inclusive person we know. She’s been a cheerleader for GiGi’s Playhouse, always spreading the word about our programs and events. Most importantly, in the Down syndrome community, she’s always bringing other moms together and providing opportunities for everyone to build connections and make everyone feel welcome. There is no one more fitting or deserving of this award that we could think of.

Congratulations! It is people like you who inspire us every day to continue the hard work. From all of our GiGi’s families, the volunteers and the Board: Thank You!!!