Heather’s Hawaii 5-0 Team
Shari, Heather’s mom, shares their “why” for participating in The GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge (GFAC) 2023 – Virtual Movement.
“We love the GFAC – Virtual Movement! It is an amazing opportunity to raise awareness, feel the love and support of our family and friends AND get moving. There are so many ways to participate, but we like to gather with our family and friends from all over the midwest and walk next to Lake Pepin in Lake City, MN, walk around Volkening Lake in Schaumburg, IL, walk along the Mississippi in Guttenburg, IA, and walk the trails in Cedar Falls, IA! This year we hope to add a hike in Pike’s Peak!
People we meet on our walks often stop us and ask what we are walking for and we get to share how awesome Down syndrome is and how GiGi’s Playhouse inspires, educates and believes!!
I would encourage everyone to join the GFAC – Virtual Movement this year to help us promote awareness, feel the love and support and support the GiGi’s mission to change the way the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all! You can make your virtual movement your own and we can all share our experience together virtually!”
Make your team today on our GiGiFIT event website.
The purposeful programs at GiGi’s Playhouse have been an integral part of Heather’s life for the past 20 years. She learns so many skills in literacy tutoring, math tutoring, GiGiFIT, and GiGi’s Kitchen. You can often find her in the kitchen cooking for me. The CONFIDENCE and INDEPENDENCE she gains in her experiences with GiGi’s Playhouse is life-changing!
Volunteer Spotlight – Jake’s volunteer experience inspired him to take action!
Jake Kingsbury started volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix during his sophomore year in high school helping with group programs. In his junior year in high school, he became a Youth Board member. Jake collaborated with other Youth Board members to provide group activities for the participants, as well as spread GiGi’s Acceptance Challenge to fellow…
The Joy of Story Telling
At the heart of our Virtual Playhouse lies something truly special, the joy of storytelling. We are incredibly fortunate to have a dynamic mother-daughter duo who volunteer with us each month to create a magical Storytime experience for our participants. But what truly stands out is the bond they share, not just as mother and…
DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH — PROVIDING THE RUNWAY FOR ACCEPTANCE!
We’ve all been there before — we walk into a room, and for whatever reason, it feels like all eyes are on us. For most of us, this is a fleeting feeling, but for individuals with Down syndrome, this is a daily reality. Individuals with Down syndrome wear their diagnosis on their face. Because of…