GiGi’s Playhouse is thrilled to announce that Jennifer Gage, founder of GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, has been selected as a finalist to receive the NASCAR Foundation’s 13th annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes an outstanding champion committed to improving the lives of children in their community. The finalists were announced on Oct. 26 on FOX Sports NASCAR Race Hub.
“We are honored to be considered for this prestigious award as it will help us to continue to make a difference in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families, across the Valley,” said Gage. “We encourage the local community to support us and our mission by voting daily, now through November 17th.”
The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwomen, recognizes NASCAR fans who volunteer for children’s causes in their local community. Each finalist will receive a minimum $25,000 donation to their organization with the award recipient receiving a $100,000 donation from the NASCAR Foundation to further their efforts.
The award will recognize Gage for her contributions to the Phoenix community. Gage is both the founder and co-board president of GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix and a long-time resident of the Valley. In 1996, her life took an extraordinary turn when her oldest daughter was born with Down syndrome. Fueled by a passion to make a difference, Gage spearheaded a start-up committee in 2013, raising funds to establish GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix.
Ten years later, GiGi’s Playhouse serves over 1,000 families with a Down syndrome diagnosis by providing educational and therapeutic programs that advance literacy, math, and motor skills. All programs are provided to families at no cost.
