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By Owen Fender

For the Clemmons Courier

On certain weekends, Gigi Williamson and her family open their home to young children in their neighborhood for a few hours of fun, education and creativity. Gigi, a sophomore at West Forsyth High School, has taken on the responsibility of continuing a beloved family tradition started by her older brother, Dylan Williamson. Dylan, now a student majoring in sports media at High Point University, began hosting these gatherings several years ago, calling them Dylan’s Fun Corner. His goal was to provide children with a safe space to have fun and learn while giving them a mentor to look up to.

Initially, Dylan’s Fun Corner was comprised of a small group of children that the Williamson family knew personally. Over time, as those children grew older, the Fun Corner recruited other young participants from the neighborhood. Sabrina Leztuzzi-Williamson opened her home to new children and encouraged broader community participation, ensuring the program could thrive even after Dylan left for college.

Although now rebranded as Gigi’s Fun Corner, the program remains true to Dylan’s initial mission of fostering joy, learning and mentorship among local children. Gigi works with a group of about eight children ranging from three to seven years old.

“I have always looked up to my brother,” said Gigi. “I want to continue what he started to help the younger kids in our neighborhood.”

Each session starts with reading time, where Gigi selects books designed to engage and educate. Afterward, the group moves on to activities such as outdoor games or arts and crafts. Some weeks the children are learning to bake cookies while some weeks they are participating in art projects.

The Fun Corner is more than just a weekend pastime; it reflects Dylan and Gigi’s strong commitment to giving back to their community. The program also provides Gigi with valuable leadership experience, a benefit her mother is proud to support.

“I am more than willing to host Gigi’s Fun Corner because it provides a chance for older kids to develop leadership skills and gives the younger kids someone to look up to,” said Leztuzzi-Williamson. Not everyone would be willing to open up their home to host community events so Gigi’s Fun Corner also reflects the generosity of the entire Williamson family.

The impact of Gigi’s Fun Corner extends far beyond the children who attend the events. Through various community service projects, the Williamson family has made a positive difference in the lives of many local families. They regularly organize food, money and book drives to support local schools. The family recently collected donations of books and school supplies from the neighborhood, which they delivered to Morgan Elementary School.

As Gigi’s time in high school will be over in a few years, her mother is already preparing for the future of the Fun Corner. Once Gigi graduates and heads to college, Leztuzzi-Williamson hopes another family will step up to continue the tradition.

“I would like to see other parents and families take on the Fun Corner,” she said.

She hopes the program can continue to provide children in the neighborhood with mentorship for years to come.

But for now, Gigi remains a dedicated mentor and leader. And the Fun Corner remains a testament to the power of family, community and generosity.