Chicago GiGi's Playhouse: Tyops Suck: Happy World Down Syndrome Day! And Come on a GiGi's Adventure.

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Weekly Update (Chicago Style)

Happy World Down Syndrome Day. In honor of the day, our members and Down syndrome awareness as a whole, we're opening a new challenge:

Help us get to 1,000 "friends" on Facebook.

Right now, our Facebook Group has about 100 members. Our goal -- and we know it's ambitious, but we think we can do it -- is have 10 times that by May 21. We all have friends who care about us and our loved ones with Down syndrome. Use today, World Down Syndrome Day, as a reason for them to get involved with GiGi's on Facebook. We already have an update on our Facebook wall. All you have to do is hit "share" and let people know how important it is to you. (Not a member of our Facebook group? Click here to join.)

Go for it. Let's build awareness, interest and our community. It's World Down Syndrome Day, after all.

Come on a GiGi's Adventure!

GiGi's Playhouse, in tandem with the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, Colo., is hosting an Adventure Weekend, August 9-13, geared specifically for families and children with Down syndrome. 'Promising to be a vacation you'll never forget, activities include river rafting, rock climbing, and a ropes course challenge. $475 includes activities and meals during program activities. Space is limited. Contact Bryce Hanna (bryce.d.hanna@gmail.com) for mosre information.

Download a flyer here.

Upcoming Events

(a.k.a Dates To Remember)

See our online calendar for a complete listing of Playhouse Happenings

Sunday, April 1.
Cabin Fever Buster
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Old Town singer and musicianleader Dave Hamilton joins us for an an hour of songs and fun during our Open Play.

Monday April 16

Spring Literacy Begins

Our 10-week session of Literacy Tutoring runs until June 30. Get your applications in now. And yes, current families, must re-register. Need an application? E-mail us

Monday, April 16

Spectacular Sibs

4:30 - 6 p.m.

Our mentor sibs (those 10 and up) plan for the next all ages meeting in May.

Sunday May 6
Cabin Fever Buster!
1 p.m.
The Mad Hatters (from the Junior League of Chicago) return for a repeat performance and story telling.,

Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10.
Northcenter's Ribfest
We need 30 volunteers to help pour beer, man the gates and other essentials on Saturday afternoon for this HUGE event. (We'll make some $$$ for giving them so many volunteers). And we need people to staff a GiGi's table in the kids area. Email us if you're interested in either/both.

Our Donor of the Week

Beginning this week, we'd like to start highlighting one donor every week. Today. we salute Gregory and Linda Willard, who made a donation following our International Gala last month. Their great niece, Jade, also happens to be the daughter of our 2012 President Kim Hanna.