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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Mayor Kasim Reed Hosts Annual “i have a voice” Gala

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Mayor Kasim Reed Hosts Annual “i have a voice” Gala
GiGi’s Playhouse Event Drives Awareness and Funding for Free Programs Serving Children with Down syndrome and their Families


ATLANTA – Jan. 10, 2013 – The third annual “i have a voice” gala to benefit GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta, a T21 (Down syndrome) free educational and therapeutic center in Midtown Atlanta is Saturday, February 2, 2013, at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta. With Mayor Reed serving as the honorary host and WSB-TV’s anchor Justin Farmer returning as the emcee, the evening is destined to provide guests an event filled with a new view of the condition. 

In 2012, “i have a voice” raised more than $215,000, which is used to fund the annual operating budget which provides free therapy-styled classes, tutoring, support groups, monthly speaker series and a vast referrals network. The results have been life-altering for the 170 individuals and their families that GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta has served this year. Why? Because this educational and therapeutic wellspring of free programming means that children born with T21 across the metropolitan Atlanta area can grow up to lead a normal and independent life.

The “i have a voice” gala will highlight the great possibilities for children with T21 thanks to early intervention. Guests will benefit from touching stories and case studies about how GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta has impacted families while viewing portraits of local children who attend the Playhouse.

VIP guests will begin the night at a cocktail reception in the Georgian Room at The Ritz hosted by Mayor Reed. A champagne welcome reception follows where guests will have last minute chances to purchase raffle tickets for one of three amazing prizes: dinner for 12 prepared in the winner’s home by the one and only Kevin Rathbun, a trip for four to Ireland and more. Shay Mooney, an up-and-coming professional singer-songwriter, will entice guests to dinner with his musical talents on guitar, while opera and classical singer Elisabeth Saliers will open the gala’s dinner festivities, followed by The Mike Richardson Band, who will wrap up the top-shelf evening with music to dance the night away.

“T21 affects one out of every 691 babies born in the United States today,” said Adrienne Mulligan – president of GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta. “But with every passing week, we see kids achieving what their parents were told they never would. Early intervention is working, and the future for these children to hold normal, independent lives is NOW. As kids with T21 begin to succeed on par with their peers, outdated misconceptions are disappearing. Specific early intervention therapies and tutoring programs are combatting the obstacles that T21 presents, and giving our kids the tools to overcome them.”

Gala tickets may be purchased online at http://gigisatlanta.com/. There are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta via (404) 872-PLAY (7529) for more information.

About GiGi’s Playhouse
GiGi’s Playhouse is a 501-c3 nonprofit dedicated to providing free programs and therapies to families and individuals who have Down syndrome. With more than 25 different literacy programs, muscle toning exercises, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, family support and social events, GiGi’s Playhouse is positioned to provide early and aggressive therapies to babies born with Down syndrome that enable them to have a normal and productive life.  For more information, visit
http://gigisatlanta.com/



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For more information:
Elyse Hammett, APR
EOS Marketing & Communications – A Phase 3 Media Company
For GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta
404.949.3772 (desk)
404.376.5563 (cell)

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