Join Us in Making a Difference

Welcome to The Gigi Project, founded by the LeDonni Family and our dedicated community. Though officially a nonprofit since 2009, our mission started five years earlier, uniting individuals and organizations to meet community needs. Our team embodies the spirit of service and empathy, working to provide meals, raise funds for medical care, and make a difference. Join us in creating positive change. Volunteer or donate today.

How It All Began

The Gigi Project was founded on love, faith, and a powerful promise. During a critical moment when doctors feared Gigi might not survive the night, a promise was made: if Gigi pulled through, there would be a lifelong dedication to helping those in need. This vow, along with a conversation years later with one of Gigi’s nurses, the LeDonni family’s strong faith and Villanova roots, and a supportive community’s encouragement, laid the foundation for The Gigi Project.

From the beginning, the LeDonni children—Gigi, Bella, and Joey—have been the heart and hands of this mission. Starting as early as age four, each has volunteered and contributed to the project’s mission and reach. From delivering gifts and spending time with residents at Pediatric Specialty Care to building relationships that became central to the project, their involvement has been instrumental in The Gigi Project’s growth and impact.

This mission also would not have flourished without the steadfast support of the community. Neighbors, friends, and local organizations embraced the project’s vision with enthusiasm. This “village” has been vital in expanding the project’s reach and deepening its impact, with volunteers, donors, and local partnerships turning The Gigi Project into a force for good.

Today, the organization is dedicated to packing meals and snack bags for senior and veteran shut-ins, fundraising for cancer patients, organizing events for foster children and animal shelters, supporting local food pantries, and much more. Thanks to the community’s involvement and the LeDonni family’s dedication, The Gigi Project continues to provide essential support to those who need it most.

Our 10-Year Journey

This timeline highlights key moments in our journey to support those in need. While not every contribution is listed, these milestones represent our ongoing commitment.

2014

Began volunteering at Pediatric Specialty Care (PSC), supporting medically fragile residents, and launched the annual PSC Holiday Gift Drive.

2015

Started visiting PSC year-round, delivering toys on Christmas morning—a tradition we proudly continue.

2018

Began preparing meals for seniors in partnership with Caring for Friends and distributing care bags for people experiencing homelessness.

2019

Established The Gigi Project as a nonprofit, continuing meal prep and providing snack bags for needy children.

2020

Partnered with La Stalla's Restaurant to deliver 1,000 meals, organized a meal collection system where people could cook/donate safely at home, donated 1,000 snack bags, made military care packages, $1,500 donated to Support Homeless Veterans, 100 duffle bags for foster kids made and donated, and homeless care bags distributed across Philadelphia.

2021

Hosted our first "Wiggin' Out" fundraiser, raising $26,000 for Unite for HER. Donated foster bags through Foster Love, donated $1,500 to Support Homeless Veterans, and snack/dinner bags for homeless families living in temporary housing.

2022

Raised $20,000 at "Wiggin' Out," donated 600 meals, $1,500 in goods donated to Ukrainian relief, $20,000 in Hippeas products donated to local food pantries, and partnered with Jazwares to provide $10,000 in toys to local nonprofits needing donations.

2023

Resumed in-person Christmas gift deliveries to PSC, held an SPCA event donating 250 cat adoption bags and $500, and prepared 125 Thanksgiving dinners, 1,000 sandwiches, and four turkeys.

2024

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, donated 1,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Provided a new sign and shelving for Wrightstown Food Pantry. Delivered sensory gifts, books, and toys during a summer visit to PSC. Packed over 6,000 meals for locals in need through St. Martin of Tours and Caring for Friends. Continued holiday gift support for 100+ kids at PSC.

2025

Anticipated fundraiser—stay tuned!

A Growing Mission

An organization in its infancy with a mission to extend beyond its current impact, the Gigi Project aims to become a true connection between organizations, individuals, and companies to come together to make a real difference in the lives of those within their communities. As the Gigi Project expands, others can get involved through volunteering for the partner organizations and/or by making monetary donations.

Core Values

Charity

We believe in giving back to others and helping those who can use some support. It is our duty to pay-it-forward.

Kindness

If you choose to be anything, choose to be kind. Sometimes a little bit of kindness is all it takes to help someone in need.

Youth

It is imperative that we instill a sense of faith, kindness, and charity into the beliefs of each generation - they are our future.

Gigi Project Named a "2021 Top-Rated Nonprofit" by GreatNonprofits

GreatNonprofits is the largest donation website for nonprofits and where people share stories about their personal experiences on more than 1.6 million charities and nonprofits. The GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Awards are the only awards for nonprofits determined by those who have direct experience with the charities – as donors, volunteers and recipients of aid.

Meet the Team

Kelly LeDonni

Co-Founder

Kelly LeDonni, co-founder of the Gigi Project, has a knack for bringing ideas to life. From helping run innovative projects at a bank to starting her own company, Gluten Free Labels, LLC, Kelly’s all about making a positive impact. Her time working in the Governor’s Press Office for two administrations also sharpened her communication and PR skills, which now help drive the Gigi Project forward.

Kelly lives in Bucks County with her college sweetheart, their three kids, and their Labrador, Nova. She’s big on family, community, and the values she picked up from her Villanova education.

Ben LeDonni

Co-Founder

A graduate of Villanova University with a B.S. and M.S. in computer science, Ben was always drawn to understanding the intricacies of technology and how to innovate and create efficiency. With the thirst to learn how things work and an unrelenting thought that “there must be a better way,” Ben’s strategic approach to problem-solving is his secret to success through all of his endeavors. If you ask Ben what his legacy will be, he will most definitely tell you that it lies in his family, charity, and doing good for everyone around him.

Gigi LeDonni

Co-Founder

Gigi LeDonni, born prematurely with her twin sister Bella, has faced many challenges, but her journey exemplifies resilience and strength. Today, Gigi helps lead The Gigi Project, spreading hope to those in need. Outside of her advocacy work, Gigi is a busy high schooler involved in STAR Club, Autism Cares, Christian Club, and Ski Club. She also registers volunteers and assists at Gigi Project events. She has been named “Student of the Month,” co-founded a party planning business, Twin Tents, with Bella, and enjoys babysitting during the school year and working as a camp counselor in the summer.

Bella LeDonni

Co-Founder

Bella LeDonni enjoys soccer, softball, and skiing. In addition to being a distinguished honor student, she’s involved in several school clubs, where she shows off her exceptional organizational skills. Bella plays an active role in the Gigi Project by keeping track of inventory and volunteering. She also co-founded a party-planning business called “Twin Tents” with Gigi. When she’s not busy with party planning or school, Bella enjoys babysitting and cat-sitting, even caring for a special needs fur baby in the neighborhood.

Joey LeDonni

Co-Founder

Meet Joey, a dynamic student athlete who thrives on sports and community engagement. He actively participates on his lacrosse and basketball teams. Beyond the field and court, Joey enjoys challenging his mind with games of Scrabble and Chess, and he’s known for his love of fishing adventures. In recognition of his writing skills, hard work, and dedication, Joey was honored by the House of Representatives as a 1st Place Winner for a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay for ‘A Day On.’ Driven by his passion for making a difference, Joey volunteers for various events and supports the Gigi Project. He also generously donates a portion of the proceeds from his Hot Chocolate/Lemonade stand to contribute to the Gigi Project’s mission of helping those in need.

Kristin Marcell

Kristin Marcell

Co-Founder

Kristin Marcell is an experienced communications and marketing executive with a demonstrated history of working in public relations, issues management, public affairs, media relations, and crisis communications.

Since August 2018, Kristin has served on the Council Rock School Board, representing Region #9 that includes Wrightstown Township and Newtown Township Districts #1, #2.

Kristin is a Council Rock High School graduate and attended the Pennsylvania State University for undergrad then George Washington University to earn a master’s degree. She currently resides in Wrightstown with her husband and two children.

Darren Sudman

Darren Sudman

Co-Founder

In 2012, Darren Sudman completely changed his career path. Following the sudden death of his son, Simon, he and his wife founded Simon’s Heart, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the conditions and warning signs that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in children.

In 2012, Darren became CEO of Simon’s Heart. During his tenure, the organization surpassed the 15,000 free heart screenings mark. Darren led efforts to enact the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act in 12 states and advocated publicly through media appearances including the TODAY Show, People Magazine, USA Today and Wall Street Journal. The organization also launched Screen Across America (a collaborative to promote groups conducting heart screenings across the country), developed HeartBytes (the first-of-its-kind national cardiac youth registry of seemingly healthy kids), and launched a crowdfunding site dedicated to getting AED devices where kids learn and play.

Prior to founding the organization, Darren practiced bankruptcy law, lobbied on Capitol Hill, taught high school history, and managed marketing campaigns and business development deals for two Fortune 500 companies.

Evan McGillin

Evan J. McGillin

Co-Founder

Evan McGillin is a lawyer at Morgan Lewis advising clients on corporate matters with a focus on equity and debt financings, corporate governance, securities law, and mergers and acquisitions. A member of the firm’s emerging business and technology practice, Evan represents established and emerging growth companies in a variety of industries.

Ready to Get Involved?

To become a part of our community and get involved with our causes, you can volunteer or make a donation. Learn more about how you can contribute.