In Memory of Patricia Gardner

 

For 15 years, Patricia Gardner has been a driving force behind Giant Step as a leader, a visionary and an energetic volunteer willing to do anything and everything to make it a success.  Giant Step brings together hundreds of students from across metro Detroit every year to get to know and respect each other. As an educator and school administrator, Pat understood the importance of connecting students across backgrounds, cultures, religions and nationalities.

 

"Inclusion, Harmony, Acceptance" is Giant Step's motto and it was part of Pat's character as well. She chaired the Giant Step steering committee for five years, holding it together through two difficult pandemic years while insuring that students and counselors stayed involved. She connected Giant Step with her beloved Drifters organization, bringing several Drifters sisters to volunteer as facilitators for the conference.

 

Her highest priority was always the children. She was passionate about making sure that the teens involved with Giant Step had a positive and transformational experience. We who had the good fortune to work with Pat and become friends with her were inspired and motivated by her passion. She lived what she believed and she believed in the power of Giant Step to make the world a better place.