This Saturday, all branches of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA will celebrate Healthy Kids Day with free community open houses and health and wellness expos. In honor of Healthy Kids Day, the Y has put together an easy-to-follow list to help families develop healthy habits.
Nourishing Thoughts: Smoothies vs. Juices, Part 2
“Juicing” can mean different things to different people, but the one thing most can agree on is that the term refers to juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables, usually from a home juicer. It does not refer to your typical, inexpensive store-bought juice—not even upscale and healthy-seeming ones like Naked Juice.
The process of juicing separates the liquid portion of the fruits and vegetables from the fiber, which is referred to as pulp. The resulting beverage is rich in the vitamins and minerals contained in the produce, and the easily digested carbohydrates provide a quick dose of energy. Some drink this juice in addition to regular food for added nutrition, while others choose to consume solely juice for several days as a juice fast or “cleanse”.
Nourishing Thoughts: Smoothies vs. Juices, Part 1
When looking for ways to get more fruits and veggies in a simple and delicious way, many health-conscious consumers have turned to smoothies and juices. Whether as a meal replacement or just for extra nutrition, drinking your produce has become more and more popular. There is definitely some debate and controversy over the merits of each option. However, it is undeniable that both do have some advantages, as long as you’re careful.
Olympic Swimmers Visit the Y
The C.W. Avery Family YMCA was lucky enough to have three U.S. Olympians pay a visit to their branch this past Sunday. As a part of the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour, Olympians Kara Lynn Joyce, Chloe Sutton and Scott Weltz taught a swim clinic focused on helping kids become better, more efficient swimmers.
The event was a big hit—a total of 120 area youth between the ages of seven and seventeen attended the sold-out clinic. The Olympians shared various tips and techniques, conducted pool workouts and dry land exercises and even held a Q&A.
A Giver Who Keeps On Giving
Mynne Schmidt, who is simply known as Sis around the Y, is a sweet woman with a big heart and an even bigger passion for swimming.
“I’ve been a swimmer for most of my life,” Sis said. “I learned to swim at five-years-old in the DuPage River. It put me onto a lifetime of swimming.”
For more than a decade, Sis has been a generous donor at the YMCA, where she’s had a membership since 1998. Each year, she donates at least $1,000 to benefit those who need membership and program scholarships. Recently, Sis decided to add to her legacy by giving an endowment of $10,000.
What Sets The Y Apart
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has served families in local communities for nearly nine decades. It is our hope that we can continue to impact lives on a daily basis for years to come, firmly establishing ourselves as more than just a gym, but as a place where people can learn, grow and thrive.
Making a lasting difference within our community is a top priority. At the Y, we work hard to ensure that no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. We accomplish this goal by raising funds each year during our Annual Campaign, which runs now through April 26. With your help, local families will continue to have access to much-needed before and after school care, summer camps and fitness programs that are essential to living a healthy lifestyle. Every gift matters!
Did You Know?
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Each year, the Y provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to those in need of financial assistance.
A donation of $100 allows a child to participate in the Y’s youth basketball league for eight weeks to learn new skills and experience the joy of being part of a team.
In 2013, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA provided nearly $750,000 in financial assistance for program and membership scholarships, and free and subsidized programs for youth and seniors. Funds raised during our Community Campaign will help to support these efforts and benefit the Y’s scholarship fund.
In February 2014, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA raised more than $96,000 at its seventh annual Giving Gala, with all proceeds benefiting the Y’s scholarship fund.
Any donation made to the Y is 100 percent tax deductible.
YMCAs are the largest providers of child care in the nation. The Greater Joliet Area YMCA provides child care for hundreds of kids throughout Will and Grundy counties. An annual donation of $1,000 provides two children with six weeks of before and after school care, assuring working parents that their children are safe, happy and healthy.
With more than 2,000 pools in the U.S. alone, YMCAs maintain the largest number of swimming pools in the world. A donation of $200 gives four children a chance to learn to swim, gaining confidence and skills that will last a lifetime.
When you donate $25 during the Annual Campaign, you’ll get a complimentary t-shirt as a reminder that you have changed lives for the better.
