{"id":141710,"date":"2025-08-18T17:01:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T21:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/?p=141710"},"modified":"2025-08-18T17:01:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T21:01:27","slug":"how-volunteering-at-gigis-playhouse-changed-my-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/uncategorized\/how-volunteering-at-gigis-playhouse-changed-my-life","title":{"rendered":"How Volunteering at GiGi\u2019s Playhouse Changed My Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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(Testimony 2) From the perspective of Lexi Appleby<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all started with a conversation.
While working in my classroom, my colleague, Mary Jo Klein, began telling me about GiGi\u2019s Playhouse and all the fun events happening there. Her excitement was contagious, and before long, I knew I had<\/em> to be a part of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first visit was either the GFAC event or a holiday party \u2014 I can\u2019t quite remember \u2014 but what I do remember is the feeling of joy and connection I experienced. Shortly after, I signed up to volunteer, and my journey with GiGi\u2019s truly began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding My Place<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, I\u2019ve had the privilege of leading our GiGi\u2019s Kitchen Teen<\/strong> class and serving on the Program Committee<\/strong>. I also love volunteering at special events like GFAC, Halloween and Christmas parties, and the annual 3:21 Celebration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of my favorite moments are simple but meaningful \u2014 like when a parent tells me how excited their child is for cooking class that week, or when I see participants trying new foods and building confidence in their independence. Those are the moments that stay with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Joy of Giving Back<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what kind of day I\u2019ve had, the second I walk through the doors of GiGi\u2019s Playhouse, my mood lifts. The laughter, the energy, the sense of belonging \u2014 it\u2019s impossible to leave without a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a special education teacher, my time at GiGi\u2019s has also made me a better educator. I\u2019ve learned new techniques, discovered creative activities, and deepened my passion for working with individuals of all abilities. The skills and inspiration flow both ways \u2014 from the Playhouse to my classroom, and back again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why It Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GiGi\u2019s Playhouse matters to me because everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life, no matter their differences. It\u2019s not just a place for individuals with Down syndrome \u2014 it\u2019s a community where everyone<\/em> feels included, loved, and worthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I could describe it in one sentence, I\u2019d say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGiGi\u2019s Playhouse is an amazing organization where you\u2019ll always feel included, loved, and worthy when attending any of their events or programs.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future at GiGi\u2019s Playhouse is bright. I\u2019m excited for more programs, bigger events, and stronger marketing that will help our community grow. And yes \u2014 I\u2019m dreaming of a bigger, more accessible space that can keep up with our big hearts and even bigger ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because for me, GiGi\u2019s is more than a place to volunteer.
It\u2019s inspiring.
It\u2019s where my favorite people gather.
It\u2019s where I\u2019ve grown into a better educator \u2014 and a better person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Testimony 2) From the perspective of Lexi Appleby It all started with a conversation.While working in my classroom, my colleague, Mary Jo Klein, began telling me about GiGi\u2019s Playhouse and all the fun events happening there. Her excitement was contagious, and before long, I knew I had to be a part of it. My first…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28492,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28492"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141710\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/syracuse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}