Early New Year's Eve Party

We try to do a service project around Christmas time (because there is not enough craziness in the seasons already.)  Sometimes it is something simple like the angel tree donations or toys for the toy drives.  Sometimes it has been something bigger like assembling hygiene kits or a party at a local hospital or orphanage (I am sure that we have mentioned the Santa Claus pinata that we traveled on the train with for a party in the New Territories in Hong Kong one year.  That caused a bit of a discussion by the fellow travelers.)

Anyway, this year we got a bit smarter and when Jena said she wanted to do a party for her friends, we opted to do a Early New Years Eve party for Gigi's Playhouse in Layton. (Notice AFTER Christmas) Gigi's is a agency that provides services to individuals with Down syndrome and their family.  We gathered six friends and their families plus Jena's YSA ward joined in and we had a party on Monday, December 30 to have an early welcome to the New Year 2020.

We had so much fun.  Here is our flyer:  (minus the clip art which didn't transfer)

Come celebrate an Early New Year’s Eve Party for all Fantastic Friends

(and other adults with DS 18 years and older.)

 At:

Gigi’s Playhouse Layton

Monday, December 30, 2019

7:30 pm-10:30 pm

There will be:

dancing

karaoke

pizza and snacks (including non-gluten items)

photo corner

and lots of FUN!

Sponsored by Jena Hall and her family and friends including

members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Meadow Park YSA Ward.

Address for Playhouse is: 1916 North 700 W #140 Layton, UT 84041

It is in the building behind the Chick Fil A which is on Antelope Drive.

We matched a person with Down syndrome (or other intellectual delay) with 2 young adults from Jena's YSA ward to hang out with. The first hour we had activities around the Playhouse to engage in. 

This was "Your 2020 Dream"--where you wrote down something you hope for this year.

Some played some basketball--

There was a "2020 Photo Corner"!

Air hockey---

On this mirrored wall, they hung their dreams for the new year and also their 2020 posters.

Jena was so excited about "hosting" a party with her friends from Church and her friends from Gigi's.  I didn't take a picture but on her name tag she wrote:  "Jena Hall. Host."  We loved it.  She did not have partners for the evening but she went around talking to people and doing the host stuff. 

Here she is starting to work on her own dream for 2020--which ended up being a new blue car.

Here is a photo of their dreams and posters---

Jena made Gary's tag for him which he LOVED!

The last two hours was DANCING!!!  Fun times with Gary running the music from his phone and bluetooth.

Some were not fans of dancing so they played Fusball and talked with friends.

The Chicken Dance

There were a couple of games of UNO going on for other non-dancers.

Our group "Happy New Year" photo with the Fantastic Friends and the YSA young adults who stayed until the end.

I didn't get an exact count, but I think we had about 12 adults from Gigi's and about 20-23 young adult volunteers.  Then we had some family friends who came and helped run the activities and brought food to add to the pizza and ice cream sundaes that we provided.  A special thanks to the Andersons, Miggins, Slaters, Sparrows, Pessettos, and Woodrow/Winterbottom!  You were all amazing to take time to spend the night with us and a few of our friends.