A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA

In an extraordinary and heartwarming collaboration, GiGi’s Playhouse, a nonprofit organization supporting those impacted by Down syndrome, has joined hands with Diamonds Direct, one of the nation’s leading diamond-importing and direct-to-consumer jewelry companies. Together, they have embarked on a transformative fundraiser to raise awareness of Down syndrome and to advance GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission of providing free, life-changing therapeutic, educational, and career training programs for those born with an extra chromosome.

The “My Extra Chromosome” campaign with Diamonds Direct brings glitter and grace to the forefront. This campaign, launched in October in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, introduces four versions of the “My Extra Chromosome” pendant, which was designed by GiGi Gianni, a 21-year-old with Down syndrome and the namesake of GiGi’s Playhouse.

“The pendants were created to honor people with Down syndrome, who were born with a little something extra,” explains Nancy Gianni, mother of GiGi and founder of GiGi’s Playhouse. “Wearing your extra chromosome represents your love for people with Down syndrome and your commitment to be accepting of all.”

As Down syndrome is represented by the colors yellow and blue, GiGi used yellow gold and sapphires in the pendant’s design. Additional pendant styles are available in sterling silver, sterling silver with a sapphire, yellow gold with sapphires, and yellow gold with sapphires and diamonds.

The partnership began as a local initiative with GiGi’s Playhouse in Hoffman Estates, specifically for Diamond Direct’s Schaumburg location. “Diamonds Direct is a huge advocate of local community partnerships,” notes Kelly Flahardy, vice president of Diamonds Direct Chicagoland locations. In a happy coincidence, across the country, numerous Gigi’s Playhouses are located close to a Diamonds Direct brick-and-mortar store. Thus, the collaboration was transformed into a national partnership. “Our goal is to spread awareness of Down syndrome as well as raise beneficial funds for GiGi’s Playhouse,” says Flahardy. “We are passionate about the organization’s mission and are thrilled to be able to continue to grow this partnership.”

Today, there are 58 GiGi’s Playhouse Achievement Centers across the United States and Mexico serving over 30,000 people of all ages every day. The organization is 99 percent volunteer-run with only 5 percent of funding used on general and administrative expenses.

Part of GiGi’s quest for herself is to teach children to be accepting and celebrate everyone. “Whenever my mom brags about having the “My Extra Chromosome” pendant, I say, ‘Yeah, but I have it in my whole body!’” she says. “Everyone should be proud of themselves for exactly who they are and because of that, we have My Extra Chromosome tattoos, stickers, and shirts so kids at school can have an extra chromosome, too.” The pendants through Diamonds Direct are an extension of the organization’s motto of “be accepting, be generous, be kind.”

United by a common vision of inclusivity, empowerment, and progress, GiGi’s Playhouse and Diamonds Direct are paving the way for where the brilliance of diamonds meets the resilience of the human spirit. The pendants are available in-store and online through the end of the year. Each purchase supports GiGi’s Playhouse with 20 percent going directly to the organization.

For more information, visit diamondsdirect.com/gigis-playhouse and gigisplayhouse.org/extra-chromosome.