Our May Volunteer of the Month is….

Tawnya is our Volunteer of the Month for May!

Tawnya has been the Program Lead for our Leaps & Bounds program for the past two years. She has done an incredible job facilitating the program while also ensuring families, participants and volunteers feel welcomed, engaged and supported. Tawnya goes above and beyond every month to help plan a program that incorporates fine motor, gross motor, social and academic skill development for participants ages 3-6! Read on to hear Tawnya’s favorite things about GiGi’s Playhouse in her own words:

“I started volunteering with GiGi’s about 3 or 4 years ago as a Host Family for Leaps and Bounds formerly called Hop Skip and Jump. Prior to having an active role, we as a family have been involved with GiGi’s even before there was a building. We participated in 2 and under, the first pilot program for Young Athletes and Social Skills. We attended many if not all of the open plays in those early years. Fast forward to after being a participant then turned host family a need opened to lead Leaps and Bounds.  Since I had already been attending and serving as a Host Family it seemed like a simple “Yes, I can lead it!!” Being a stay at home mom to Brooke and Nora gave me some great practice at planning activities for combining fun and learning. And although I wasn’t a teacher, I was given the opportunity to lead the program. Last year there was a change to the program to be more structured and therapeutic. I LOVED that and was eager to have more structure and loved the direction the Playhouse was taking.   It has been fun to create a plan for each month centered on a theme and to collaborate with Ashley. My favorite thing about the program is seeing and spending time with the kiddos and their families each month. This age group is fantastic and it is amazing to see how the participants are gaining new skills and confidence and growing Leaps and Bounds every month! I have LOVED being a part of this amazing group and program at GiGi’s Playhouse!

I have also volunteer with the Community Group Art Project each year. I love to get creative and crafty. Each year we come up with an art project we can do at our World Down Syndrome Day Party. Then we put them together so they can be displayed at the Playhouse. I have also served as a Lead Course Marshall at Cody’s Dash for Down syndrome (our annual 5K). It was fun to see the excitement in all the families and the participants on race day!

My family loves to attend the parties at GiGi’s and my daughter has been a part of math tutoring, young athletes and social skills, besides Leaps and Bounds.

My favorite thing about GiGi’s Playhouse is being able to participate in Leaps and Bounds. I love the opportunity to be creative and plan a program. To be able to see how excited the families are to be part of all the fun is heartwarming. The parents and their willingness to step in and help encourage their kiddos throughout the program is outstanding. Lastly all of the volunteers who support and step in and help throughout the program each month so I can have the time between leading the program to connecting with each of the families has been a blessing. I am honored and humbled to be allowed to be a part of this program.

One thing I would want the families and participants I volunteer with to know is that I am VERY thankful for their willingness to come and be part of this life changing program! I appreciate all of their help so much and it doesn’t go unnoticed when they take initiative to help clean up something, or help their participant to gain the courage needed to try something outside of their comfort-zone. And when families participate in the program alongside their child. Thank you for dancing and letting some sillies out, too!! Lastly, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” for choosing to spend your time to volunteer and participate in Leaps and Bounds as we would not have this program without you!!

I am honored and humbled to be allowed to be a part of this program. From the bottom of my heart “Thank you”!!! We love GiGi’s Playhouse!! Thank you for this moment to share and for this amazing honor. GiGi’s Playhouse is making a difference and it is exciting to be part of such a wonderful place.”

Congratulations, Tawnya! We couldn’t provide this wonderful program for our participants and families without your support! You are an amazing Program Lead! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to our Playhouse!