To volunteer with Gigi’s Playhouse, visit gigisplayhouse.org/atlanta/.
With a coincidence in their names and personal connections for Deena Coughlin, owner of Gigi’s Cupcakes at The Forum in Norcross, the partnership to raise money for Gigi’s Playhouse just made sense.
Gigi’s Playhouse is a nationwide organization which provides support and services to families of children with Down Syndrome. The local location opened in late 2011 in Downtown Atlanta.
“We give back to the community constantly, and when the idea for Gigi’s Playhouse came up, it worked,” Coughlin said. “ I personally have family friends who have children with Down Syndrome, and I have seen how hard it can be.”
Coughlin hosted a charity cupcake tasting at her store on April 4 to benefit the local charity, and with about 50 guests, the kickoff event raised $300. The money will help with the charity’s programming and events, specifically monthly birthday parties. Every month, the organization hosts family get-togethers at the playhouse for its families and kids to wind down, have fun, and also meet each other.
Last year, Gigi’s Playhouse served 170 individuals, and will be reaching 200 this year. With the increase of families and children, the organization will also increase its programming. All of the programs are free to families. Each of them are designed to work on specific skill development in several areas including speech and language, social development, and fine and gross motor skills.
The newly established organization gets its support from the community and volunteers to help ensure a success for the families and their children. From volunteer therapists to literacy and math tutors, “we need everyone’s help to make this an efficient resource center,” said Director of Operations Stephanie Chapman. Other activities also include open play, play groups, art, music, and more.
“We welcome anyone to come be a part of Gigi’s Playhouse. Interacting with our kids along with the right encouragement, we can really tap into what their strengths and what they are capable of,” Chapman added.
Coughlin, along with Chapman, has more plans in the works to raise money and awareness for Gigi’s Playhouse. “We hope the community comes out and supports the great work of Gigi’s Playhouse through our future events,” added Coughlin. “The playhouse is helping our local families and we hope to do our part to help them.”
Started in Chicago in 2004, Gigi’s Playhouse is the first Down Syndrome awareness center in the country, and now has 12 locations, including Mexico.
In other news: On Saturday, as a part of the 12th annual Comcast Cares Day 2013, over 200 Comcast volunteers painted and helped with landscaping projects at the Covenant House Georgia. More than 600 Atlanta Comcast employees and volunteers donated their time to projects benefiting local community organizations. Nationally, Comcast estimated 70,000 volunteers participated in 600 Comcast Cares Day projects.
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