Volunteer Spotlight – Thomas’s Cross-State Dedication to GiGi’s Playhouse

Meet our traveling volunteer Thomas

As you may have read in a previous blog we have some pretty amazing volunteers and they find us through a variety of ways; Thomas is one of these awesome volunteers.

Thomas, who lives out of state spends a lot of time in San Diego and was looking for a volunteer opportunity during his visits. He happened to stumbled upon GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego and from that moment he has been moving forward ever since.

We asked Thomas to share his thoughts about GiGi’s and his experience thus far

How did you find GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego? I found it through just a simple internet search; nothing too extraordinary!

• One of the first options that comes up for volunteering at an organization for Down syndrome is GiGi’s Playhouse.

What made you want to volunteer? I have helped individuals with disabilities for a number of years. When I lived in Phoenix the first time, I helped out with the Downs Syndrome Network AZ which conducted many athletic activities for attendees and I fell in love with it. When I moved to San Diego, I found GiGi’s. Interestingly, I am now back in Phoenix but still participate in GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego events monthly when my schedule permits. I am a pretty busy person involved in work and personal commitments but the rush I get with helping out individuals in this field is priceless. I knew that having a busy schedule wasn’t an excuse to not take a portion of my life to help out others who may not have all the privileges I do.

• Thank you Phoenix for sharing your awesome volunteers! That sense of belonging and joy when volunteering is something we love to hear and strive to create for everyone.

What is your favorite thing about volunteering and why? I love seeing individuals succeed at their victories. It could be learning to hug their friend, succeeding to articulate a conversation, or simply having the dexterity to create a fruit salad. I always leave GiGi’s on a high and so thankful that I made a difference in someone’s day. It also makes me appreciate how labor intensive it must be to be the parent of an individual with a disability. I enjoy giving them a break and spreading my energy with their children.

• An open heart and willingness to give can be so powerful and others can surely feel it!

What is your least favorite and why? Pacific Beach traffic at times. 

• We know that although this is an amazing location, traffic coming in and out of a beach town can be challenging and we appreciate everyone for making the trek each and every time. We are looking for a new centralized location that is much more convenient for everyone.

Is there anything we can improve on, if so what? I’d love to try to present a “life skills” type course where folks can develop on a potential pathway to be partially or fully self-sufficient/independent. I’d need some support since I am not a specialist on special education but the talent within GiGi’s could help. Oftentimes as a volunteer I need to be probed since my work/personal commitments come first and I forget to prioritize GiGi’s!

• We hear you and are working towards beefing up our Social Skills programs as well as others encouraging growth but we need more awesome volunteers to make those dreams a reality!

Anything else you would like to add? I would love to introduce individuals with disabilities to the aviation industry. There are many opportunities to improve on the travel experience within my field of work (aviation) and to improve this. There are possible entry-level non-security/safety-related opportunities for employment for individuals interested as well as miscellaneous areas of opportunity for the aviation industry to improve the travel experience for those with physical and cognitive disabilities. 

• You are absolutely right Thomas! Maybe we could use your expertise to get our foot in the door.

If you are interested in becoming one of our much needed and awesome volunteers like Thomas please be sure to check out: