Thank You!

Thank you to every who came out for our Grand Re-Opening! Even though the weather did not cooperate we had a wonderful day. The Flying Dragons did a great job performing their awesome routine and the GiGi's Cheer team showed off their talents as well, thank you Layton Athletics!

We hope everyone had a great time and will continue to come out and join us for all of our programs we offer. A special thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped make the day a success; and congratulations to all you raffle winners!

Workshop

From Defiance to Compliance:

Practical Answers to Difficult Behaviors in Kids with Down syndrome (and other special needs)
Presented by: Alice Belgrade, MS. Ed., BCBA

When: Sat. May 8th, 2010 ~ 9am-2pm

Cost: $25~ DSAW Members and $35 ~ Community (includes lunch and materials)

Where: Children's Hospital of WI ~ Auditorium ~ 9000 West Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226

Parking: Enter North Parking structure; follow skywalk and sign to Auditorium

RSVP: By April 30th

About the Workshop:

In this workshop, practical, specific interventions that address the meaning of misbehavior will be presented. Transitions, task completion and getting along with others can be challenging for children with Down syndrome, autism and other developmental disabilities. Video and cased examples illustrated how to use positive strategies to encourage cooperation and learning.

FINDS

FINDS program is hosting a Father & Child Bowling!

When: Sunday Feb. 28Th from 3:30 to 5:30
(check in at 3:00 sharp)

Where: Brunswick Zone XL, 1611 S. Randell Rd. Algonquin

Who: Father & Child (siblings are encouraged to attend to)

Cost: $10 per family (includes shoes, pizza and beverages)

RSVP to Cynthia Harper (815) 788-0566 or cincin521@aol.com by Feb. 16Th
Please provide names and shoe sizes

Holiday Party Reminder - THIS Sunday!

Friday Friends Bowling Party!

Friday Friends Bowling Party!

December 18^th

Raymond’s Bowl in Johnsburg, IL

5:45 to 8:00

Please R.S.V.P. (815) 385-7529

Come join us for bowling, pizza, music and fun!

Friday Friends is a social group for adults with Down Syndrome.

Save the Date - Christmas Party!

December 13th at 2pm

Bring your cameras cause SANTA'S IN TOWN!

Don't Forget - Fashion Show this weekend!

 

 2nd Annual Fashion Show and Brunch

Sunday, November 1, 2009

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

To be held at the Bull Valley Golf Club

1311 Club Road, Woodstock, IL 60098

☀

 

 

“Getting Down with Fashion”

We come together to celebrate the love we have for individuals with Down syndrome and to share the excitement of the newest fashions for our kids. The fashion show will feature styles for our children and adults from Justice, Gymboree, and Maurice’s.

 

 

Attendees will enjoy a delicious brunch to be coordinated with the show, along with the incredible opportunity for raffles prizes donated from a growing list of community support. Tickets must be purchased in advance, so be sure to purchase your tickets early!

Tickets are $40 for adult and $20 for children and can be purchased directly from the Playhouse or on-line by registering at www.gigisplayhouse.org. For more information on buying tickets or tables, donating to the raffle wish list, or sponsoring the program, contact Susan at 815-385-PLAY or by email sdubois@gigisplayhouse.org.

GiGi's Cheers On!

This just in from Spirit Mom Julie Snyder! 

 

“We’ve got spirit yes we do, we’ve got spirit, JUST LIKE YOU!”

GiGi’s LXC Cheer Team made their debut Sunday, September 13 in the Saufen Unds Spiel Parade in Johnsburg, Illinois.  Riding on a parade float can be an overwhelming experience for any child so of course we were cautiously optimistic about the outcome of this event for our kids with special needs.  That caution was soon replaced with happy faces and cheering voices!  

The kids had a wonderful time throwing candy to the crowd and cheering with their fellow LXC cheerleaders. The experience for our kids was priceless and it was heard time and again from members of the Johnsburg community how nice it was to see our kids among the LXC Cheer Squad.  It turned out to be a wonderful day filled with fun for everyone!

Thank you to Coach Kelley and her husband of Layton Athletics for donating her time, believing in our kids and for providing a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about Down syndrome and children with special needs.

For more information on GiGi’s LXC Cheer Team or for sponsorship opportunities please contact GiGi's Playhouse McHenry by calling (815) 385 - PLAY or emailing mchenry@gigisplayhouse.org

August Themed Open Play

Today's themed open play was pretty sparse (it was a beautiful afternoon outside after all!) but we still had a really great time. We did three simple crafts, dug in the sand for shells and starfish and did lots of playing. =)






Thanks to Sarah and Jackie, our awesome volunteers for coming out to help. =)

There will be no Themed Open Play in September, but in October we're planning a super fun and spoooooooky Halloween Party Sunday, October 25, so save the date!

GIGIFEST at Hoffman Estates!

August Themed Open Play

Let’s Go to the Beach!

Join us for Open Play

Saturday, August 29^th, 2009

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

We’ll do some simple beach-themed crafts, sing songs, have snacks and hang out with friends. Come play with us!

RSVP by calling (815) 385 - PLAY

Fiesta Days Parade

Come Join the PARADE!

Join the crew of the S.S. GiGi for the McHenry Fiesta Days Parade on

Sunday July 19^th at 1:00 p.m.

All participants in parade need to be there by 1:00 at the very latest! We are at the front end of the parade.

Meet at center of east side of Old Buss Ford gravel lot next to McHenry Metra station. Drop off site is on the grass lot at the south end of the Metra Lot.

Participants are asked to wear GiGi's shirts and khaki shorts or pirate gear.

Call (815) 385 – PLAY and ask for Scott Bradfield for more info or email direct to scottbradfield@yahoo.com

GiGi's at 2009 Fiesta Days Parade

From our board member, Scott Bradfield:

The 2009 Fiesta Days parade takes place on Sunday July 19th at 1:30 pm. This would be a fun and outstanding opportunity to get Gigi's name out into the community. In order to make this happen I am requesting the assistance of as many Gigi's families and volunteers. We will need help getting some sort of flat bed trailer, help designing and constructing of a float, as well as a location to build and store until the parade. In addition we will need participants to ride on the float as well as walk along passing outcandy/popsicles. If you are interested please contact me at scottbradfield [at] yahoo [dot] com... or at 815-693-6453 by June 6th. I plan on scheduling a meeting on the second week of June at the Playhouse w/ anybody interested in helping out.

GiGi's Playhouse 5K Fundraiser

GiGi's Playhouse 6th Annual 5K Fun Run, One Mile Walk and Dash For Down Syndrome!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

7:30-8:30am Open Registration

8:45am 5K Race Start

9:15am 1 Mile Walk Start

Dash For Down Syndrome immediately following

Help us raise money for the GiGi's Playhouse Free Literacy and Educational Programs! This 6th Annual event will have something for everyone! A 5K Fun Run, a 1 Mile Inspirational Walk, and the popular "Dash for Down Syndrome"!

This Event will take place rain or shine.

5336 Prarie Stone Parkway Hoffman Estates, Il 60192

This is our BIGGEST fundraiser! Please join us! You can register here, or if you would like to join a GiGi's Playhouse McHenry Team, here's the list!

Rusty's Review

Katies Krew

Team Christine

Mallory's Minions

Team Rylee

Marcus Madness

Becca's Brigade

Team Andrew

Team Jenna

Garrett's Gang

Ava's Angels

Hawgs & Hot Rods!

Hawgs & Hot Rods - Kruisin' 4 the Kids
Ice Cream Poker Run! All Vehicles Welcome!

Sunday June 28, 2009
Woodstock Harley-Davidson & Buell
2050 S. Eastwood Dr. (Rt. 47) Woodstock, Il 60098
On - site registration - 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
First out at 10:30 a.m. - Last Out at Noon
Last card drawn at 3:00pm
Donation: $20 per driver - $10 per passenger - Under 12 free

Follow the 85 mile route through Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin to 'Card' Stops at Ice Cream Parlors
Return to Woodstock Harley-Davidson for Food, Music, Raffle prizes and drawing your poker hand

Best Hand - $500 2nd Place - $200 3rd Place $100 and
worst hand wins $50 Co-sponsored by McHenry County Road Pirates and Woodstock Harley -Davidson

This is a Rain or Shine event!
You can also register online!

Volunteer Open House

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank

Come and Make a Difference With Us!

Join us for a Volunteer Open House
April 29th 7:00 p.m.
Here at the McHenry Playhouse - 1720 N. Richmond Rd

Learn about the ways YOU can help us in our mission to:

• Provide individuals with Down Syndrome, their families and the community unconditional acceptance, a true sense of belonging, meaningful development and social interaction.
• Educate parents of individuals with Down Syndrome in regards to their rights, options and opportunities.
• Shape the public's beliefs about those with DS.

For more information or to RSVP,
please call Sue or Michele at (815) 385 - PLAY

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~Oscar Wilde

Easter Bunny Comes to Visit!

The Easter Bunny will be stopping by...

Saturday, April 25
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Open Play at the Playhouse

Join us for games, crafts and treats! All ages welcome - Come play with us!

Wendy's Night Fundraiser April 14th

Tuesday, April 14th
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us at Wendy's (2433 N. Richmond Rd - by the Home Depot) next week! A portion of the proceeds will go to the McHenry Playhouse so come grab a burger and fries with us!

1st Anniversary & Volunteer Appreciation Party!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss

Please join us for
GiGi's Playhouse McHenry's
1st Anniversary & Volunteer Appreciation
Potluck & Play

April 26th, 2009
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Layton Athletics
5402 Austin Ct.
Ringwood, IL

Please bring a dish to pass and lots of energy to play in the gym!
RSVP by calling (815) 385 - PLAY

The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers. ~Everett Mámor

Volunteer Parade!

”A Salute to Local Volunteers”
Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Parade begins 1:00 pm
we assemble at 12:30 pm
Riverside Drive by the Riverwalk Bridge
(next to Joey T’s)

For additional information contact Scott at (815) 385 - PLAY

Every day we are bombarded with the doom and gloom of a bad economy, rising foreclosures and unemployment. Reading the paper, listening to the radio or watching television news can be depressing and stressful. It seems that we as individuals can have little effect on national events but that’s not the case at all. As volunteers, we have been making a huge impact on our community and at a time when our community needs us most. And our community needs something to celebrate that’s FREE!

The Rotary of McHenry would like to have your organization participate in our first ever St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15^th, at 1:00 PM. We will assemble at 12:30 pm at the parking lot of Joey T’s on Riverside Drive. It’s a short parade route, down Riverside Drive to Veterans Park at Broad and Riverside Drive. This is a community based parade, no commercials, no political campaigning, just a salute to local volunteers. For this one day, we’ll all be Irish and celebrate our town and the local groups that serve our residents.

Please contact Phil Sweeney at (847) 409-7445 or Donna Schaefer at (815) 385-5605 for additional information.