Volunteer Abigail Carter Brings Leadership, Positivity to Her Work

Whenever Abigail Carter volunteers her time at GiGi’s Playhouse she always has a warm smile and greeting for the organization’s staff. 

Abby started volunteering with the organization as a vocational student from . She was one of several teens honored with a Naperville Youth Service Award. 

Abby was nominated to receive the award by Annie Sloka, GiGi’s Playhouse site manager and Traci Van Laarhoven-Myers, vocational coordinator at .

Every year, KidsMatter together with Mayor George Pradel and the  City Council, give out the Naperville Youth Service Awards to deserving teen volunteers during a special ceremony.   

The mission of GiGi’s Playhouse is to increase positive awareness of Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. 

As a volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse Abby works well with her peers and shows leadership through her positive attitude, according to her nominators. She acts as a motivator to those around her. 

“She completes any task that is asked of her with consideration and care for the quality of the work and in how she helps her peers with a shared task. Abby is a positive role model and a shining example of the type of volunteer that we seek. She helps with behind the scenes activities and is quite willing to do whatever is asked of her without complaint,” Sloka said in her nomination.

Whenever she volunteers, Abby brings a positive attitude and is more than willing to assist in numerous ways. She understands that, while honing her own work skills, she is providing an invaluable contribution to the families and children affiliated with Gigi's Playhouse. Abby is a ray of sunshine!